Up Early
I’m moving quietly through the sleeping house this morning. Getting my coffee. Writing. It reminds me of almost all the days of my working career. Sleeping wife. Sleeping kids. Me getting dressed. Eating breakfast. Heading out the door before almost anyone was awake. Being quiet while others slept. Going to work.
Except today there will be no work. The kids will wake up around me all through the house as will their mother. Alarms will go off. Voices will start to chatter. Feet will patter. At some point I’ll hear good morning, grandpa. I’ll throw on my shorts and sandals. The kids will eat breakfast. Then we’ll head out the door. They’ll get in the car, and I’ll make the short drive to school.
This afternoon will be a first. I’ll get to gather them up from their after school activities. The grandson is in karate. He loves it. The granddaughter is in gymnastics. She loves it, too. I like the easy life of retirement, but I miss having a purpose. I miss dadding. Looking after kids. It’s nice to be back in the game for a while. It feels good, as do all the memories that are flooding back this morning.