18 And Out

For years I have told my boys, 18 and out. I then added that you
have an 18 year lease and then you are on month to month.
Again it is something that I do not remember my father saying.
I must have listened though, since I was away at Michigan State
when I was 17, then on to San Francisco, married, never to live
at home again.

As for my two sons, both were away at school when they were
18. For four years plus, Matthew taking a little longer and Seth traveling
and working in Israel and Germany after college. Then they both came
home. I have told some that the only mistake I made was that I forgot
to change the locks or these days the code to the garage.

I had always thought that if we had the children close together, we
would have more time for the two of us to spend together after the
children moved away.

So one would assume from this story that I am not happy that my
children are living at home. The truth is just the opposite. Over the
last few years with my mother in the hospital 4 months plus and my
father in the hospital a few times, they have both been invaluable.
Giving of their time unselfishly to care for one or both of them.
For this I am eternally grateful.

Not being one to express this sentiment on