weekends

Constant opening and closing... of doors. I constantly hear them coming and going. They are young. They come on fast and leave the same way. Friendships and more I assume. Our house is a welcoming place for these growing relationships. Always a new mix and new opportunities. The regulars arrive on Friday nights and most stay until Sunday night. Many others in and out, most come up to say "hi" I feed, I listen, I enjoy their company but they tire me out. An endless stream of kids. They like it here and keep coming back. They bring more. They do appreciate me and the place to hang out. It's comfortable and fun with it's constant mix of new faces. I just hope that they continue to make good choices.

My friend Jayne has made it and returned home after 2 months in the hospital. I don't know yet the outcome, if she will ever has that special sparkle back, but he spark has been ignited. She's home!

Watching Altered states of teens.

I try to learn from a wise and suddenly experienced new friend, Sharyn.
Although I have nothing so emotional to compare to as her tragedy of her son Caleb's accident, much of her agony I share by simply being the mother of a teenage daughter. It is also like living with a new person daily. I try to cope, to understand, to accept, to protect, to help...but am often met with a blank stare, wide smile, demands or outright hostility. I never know what to expect and I mourn for the little princess she used to be. I miss our closeness, and hope her altered state of being too will pass. Our house is overrun with kids coming and going... a safe place to hang out, her friends up from Fleet visiting for weekends, a few kids turning into large parties, large groups of co-ed sleepovers, a new boyfriend, and I'm now counting my beers and holding tight to my wine while wondering how liberal I can continue to be while the teens take life fast and run. I struggle as many have and many will.