I dropped the parents off for their month-long cruise around South America. They fly out today and will be off the grid until March 21st. We’ve officially flipped roles. I feel like the parent dropping her kids off at camp. Sure, I want them to have a good time but I’ll worry about them. They could fall over aboard. They could accidentally befriend a drug cartel. Their ship could be attacked by pirates. And on the flip side, what if I need to talk to them? What if Downton Abbey has a twist? Or my teapot lid cracks again? Or my world falls apart? Technology, being the best and worst parts of my life, has allowed me the ease of calling my parents weekly, biweekly, daily… whatever I needed for the occasion.
I know I’m 50 years old but It’s scary to be on my own for a month.
Ironically, my parents had been cleaning their basement. And they have relinquished guardianship of my baby book to me. I see Throwback Thursdays in my near future. Meanwhile, I found this nugget: a letter from me to my parents circa the college years.
October 7, 1983
Dear mom and dad,
Howdy folks! This is the “one-a-semester” letter! No really, you two have been on my mind a lot this week! I’ve been playing Bonzel social worker with a couple of my friends! I must -forgive the corn mush- have the best family in the world! After hearing the hell others are going through, I just feel so thankful! I take you two for granted a lot! I like to pretend I’m all grown-up and independent but -it is so comforting to know I could go home if it ever got too much and you two would be there for me! I’m very lucky! Just wanted to let you know, you’ve been on my mind — Love, Katy
P.S. Thanks for the $!
P.S.S. Tell Jen – I got a “wandering Jew” plant as a present and named it “Art”!
This letter is over thirty years old. The sentiment is the same. And I still love writing in exclamation marks!
Bon journee, mom and dad. Check your emails… regularly. Be safe!