Lately, I have contemplated the amount of responsibility that I will have for my children after they have grown. I have been blessed with two wonderful children (this doesn't mean that I don't get angry with them, I DO!) and am looking forward to seeing them grown. But I have always wondered how much responsibility I have after they move out on their own. (or stay at home).
I got to thinking about this because I know a family that moves grown children back home when there is a crisis. They work through the crisis and, once the crisis is over, the grown children move back out on their own. At one time, I would have thought this ludicrous. But, the more that I think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Isn't home supposed to be a place that you can go to when things in the world get rough? A sanctuary in an ever growing storm? Like the theme song said in Cheers "a place where everyone knows your name". I believe that it is. So, does that end at the age of 18, 21, or some arbitrary number? Does it end once you have moved out? Or is a home always your home, no matter what your age, income, belief system, marital status, employment status, etc.? I also believe that it is.
Now I have also known people who take people into their house and let them live there for as long as they like, sponging off of the owner and doing nothing in return. This is not what I am referring to. That is an aberration of the idea of home. When we take our children into our house after they have grown, they will help with housework, buying groceries, errands, etc.
This has come to mind also as part of my middle age. I am watching our daughter graduate from high school and know that as a part of her life is ending, a new part is beginning. I feel that
I have witnessed the little child I cradled in my arms in 1987 become a very talented adult. This is wonderful. But I now know that I don't want to miss any of her future life. I want to be around to experience what she is going through and help guide her through the trials and tribulations of adulthood, being a parent, guide and friend through all of it. I also want her to know that she will always have a safe haven to come to if life should turn to caca.
I accepted the responsibility for my family in the latter half of the 20th century. I will carry that responsibility through the rest of my natural born days, even after our two children are grown and moved out.
