It's been at least a year since we've had any social events here, for many reasons, Riley being the main one. Scratch that. The fact that my dog barks incessantly at company and disrupts Riley sleeping is more like it.
We had friends over for dinner Sunday night--a couple and their daughter. We've been friends with these folks forever and it was nice to catch up. We love their company--Mel is always a goodtime and Jason is a master of culinary arts. Jason standing at our grill is a sight I have missed. We started way earlier than we normally would and ended in time for the little ones to make their early bedtimes. It was indeed different.
After working out some technical difficulties with the grill, dinner was underway and we soon sat down to eat. In the past, our dinner conversation was about the latest band we saw live, or the band we planned to see next, or when we were gonna go to the beach together. Should we have a New Year's Party this year? And when's the last time you saw so-and-so?
They have become parents of a bundle of energy and we now have Riley. Oh my, how things have changed. Our mealtime talk covered topics such as disciplinary issues, potty-training, and the sorry state of public education. And isn't that big kids' consignment sale coming up? We reminisced about how things were "when I was a kid". "Kids have it so much easier now!" It reminded me of the stories my mom used to tell, "I had to walk to school. Both ways!". Oy.
Jason and I stupidly attempted acrobatics in the back yard with the kids. Yeah, I'm still eating Ibuprofen . . . . Spring chicken, I am not. Ouch.
Our babies were looked after by one another. Diaper changes, or saving one of them from the brink of disaster, or attending to a whine or whimper seemed to come naturally to all of us--whether it was our child or not.
I was in awe of both of their abilities as parents. Taming busy hands and answering an inquisitive mind seemed to come as easily as breathing. It was an amazing thing to see.
Amidst all the changes that come with parenthood, it was comforting to see that some things are durable enough to withstand redefinition. Yes, things are different, but the camaraderie and ease I've always felt was still there . . . . . even if we did sound (and feel) old.
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