The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Color Me Gray - But Happy

by Dessa Rodeffer, Publisher/Owner

5 February 2003

Parents, hold on to your hats, because time is going to fly as you raise your children.

When I lived in Lee Center, a little town south of Dixon, I had three children age 6 and under, and life was hectic.

My good neighbor, Marie, whose children were in college, told me that I will look back on these times as the best time of my life. Cherish it, it goes fast!

I couldn't imagine, diapers, boots and coats, shopping with three while they wandered in and out of the clothes, or pulled groceries off shelves when I was looking the other way, as being the best time of my life. Plus we were flat broke!

I couldn't even afford shoes for Damon.

We didn't have a babysitter I felt comfortable trusting my children with so I was home all of the time cooking, cleaning, reading books to the kids, and seldom watching T.V.

The only times I went out was to get groceries, go to the doctor, and to attend church, otherwise it was baseball in the yard or the baby pool in the backyard.

After raising five children I had a little break before grandchildren starting coming. I realized it was pretty quiet around the house.

The laughter and giggles had quit along with the arguments and loud music.

When I was visiting my son a year or two ago, his three (ages 4, 2, and newborn) were really letting everyone know they were tired and unhappy. The furthest comment from my mind was the one I heard my son say after quieting the boys down and putting them to bed.

"Isn't this just the best time of my life?"

I was expecting him to say he couldn't wait until they got older. It reminded me of my neighbor's remarks.

But it was true. There's a loneliness when the kids leave home. After a break, and the gray hair starts to come, seeing the grandkids come for a visit is such a welcome reminder of those days that went by far too fast.

Now I'm blessed with ten with Damon's 4th (another boy) born at home the morning before the Super Bowl.

:but that's another story.