This too, shall pass.
In the thick of battle, I forget.
When I complain about the times and life stage I’m in, I remind the self, this too, shall pass.
Ha! That’s a line of horse apples fresh from the barnyard!
The truth? I wish I would remember to remind myself when in the thick of the battle, days I thought would never end, somehow do. Stages of life come to a gradual ending; days slowly pile one upon another, until poof! That too, passed.
I was asked to participate in homeschooling a family member, in the 8th grade, for the 2025–2026 school year. I agreed. The idea of such sounded noble, lofty, and would give this ol’ gal purpose to my days. As anyone who has experienced life for a while, finds out quickly the sharp contrast between the idea and the reality. And Boy Howdy! did reality hit from day one.
Many days I resented giving up my time and energy for a student who protested loudly and often how he didn’t want to do schoolwork. He didn’t realize it wasn’t part of my retirement plan to spend my days deep in his school curriculum.
I complained, fretted, stewed, and secretly rejoiced at day’s end when he was on his way home to the care of another adult. It really wasn’t about him so much as I begrudged playing the role of a parent when I’m Gram to him.
But these last few days, I have come to mourn the passing of this stage. I wonder how he feels. I wonder if he will look back on these days remembering the good moments more than the trying ones. Or the day I escaped to my car parked in the garage to shed a few tears. Yes, despite the challenges, there were jokes, praises, and good times. When he is old with grandchildren of his own, what will his story of our times be?
I mourn as I realize this stage of life we shared together will pass, never to return. That said, I will enjoy sleeping in, nursing cups of coffee without the dread of putting my mom hat on for the day and I can be Gram-Gram again.
And so, in a few days, as he reaches for his certificate indicating moving on to high school, this life stage will too, pass. Such is life.