Bits and Bites
a summary of 'finishing'
My time for book writing has been harder to find. So I am creating it. Creating time. Block scheduling time. It can be done. I have done it in the past. And yes, it does mean getting up earlier in the morning. I am not a morning person. But I want this manuscript to be ready for the editor.
Life always offers more to learn, to remember, to include or add to my chapters. I don’t feel finished, but I have to set a time to declare “DONE!” So I am going over all my documents, chapters written so far, and getting them printed. Old school.
And then today I went to lunch with my good friend, Andrea. We managed to avoid speaking directly about our adult kids. We might have mentioned our wills…close but not quite about the AKs. It was a delicious lunch (if you are ever in Orillia visit Eclectic Cafe) and as we attempted to exit the restaurant we came across a table of four women who we have known and not seen for many years.
That’s when the conversation about Adult Kids began. All agreed it was a difficult time of life for adult kids in their 20’s. One woman interrupted, “and 30’s too.” Interesting, no one corrected her. At least fifteen Adult Kids between us, and no one disagreed. “What does it take to get them to get to solid ground?” Allie asked. And we summarized that a good partner, a comfortable job, and a solid set of friends help. “But why does it take so long for them to find that? Are there too many choices now?” Gees. Anyone want to take a shot at answering that quickly? I know I can’t.
My adult kids are amazing. They are brave, kind, adventurous people. They all love to dance! My kind of people. Each “launched” in their own way. And yet the bungee cord seems to be tied to my ass somehow. And my husband’s. There is a definite connection. Tighter than what I had expected.
My stories, and the shared stories of others, will make up the book. So many have told me they want a hard copy, and they are excited to read it. Most, if not all of these women have Adult Kids in their lives. Not always their own. Some are aunts, godparents, neighbours. They have opinions about these Adult Kids they know. At lunch one woman quietly mentioned she feels she is blamed for the lives of her adult children. “Why do we become labelled as an ‘enabler’?” she asked. Hopefully the non-parents will read the book and discover the surprises and shocks that Adult Kids and parents live. Tough to put blame anywhere really. Is that a new Chapter? Blame and guilt? Oh heck.
The stories are not all about troubles. Just about the situations, issues, events that have brought me and others to a state of bafflement. Curiousity. Bewilderment. Other parents have those moments too. And I will finish writing and get this work submitted. Please stay tuned.
And if you have a favourite topic you hope will be covered in the book. Go ahead and write me. There is always room for an edit. Or two.