Shortly after my purge of Mutterings and Mayhem, my phone rang. It’s late. This is only one of two things; about my mother or my son. I gingerly answer the phone. “Hi Mom, did I wake you?” Relief and joy flow through me. It’s good, really good. Nothing in this entire universe gives me more happiness than my “boy.” I share my sorrows with you, now I will share my bliss.

Like the sun is to the earth, my son is to me. In the midst of all the bedlam, he calls, he calms, he cares. Sometimes I look back on my career years, and all the times I missed with my child. What a waste, what nonsense.

He’s a grown man now with a family of his own. We were very blessed for nearly a decade with him and his wife living a house away from us. It was a wonderful time. Hubby was still healthy, the kids were in and out all the time and life was very good.

My son met his wife while stationed overseas at a very young age. They married before he returned to the states. Because she was so far from home, she became more like our own daughter. They’ve always been just “the kids” to my husband and I.

Looking back, they were the center of our social life, as well as just our lives. As Hubby’s health began to dwindle, they were there through it all. Supporting, caring and helping with whatever was needed. We were together, to laugh and to cry. Family. What a wonderful concept! All the while, I kept waiting for a grandchild, much to their chagrin not so quietly or patiently. It seemed it was not to be.

A while back the kids, as so many did, got caught in the recession. My son, after eleven years with the same company, was laid off. He was in a very industry specific management position. That industry was less than blooming here. They made the decision to relocate out of state and proceeded to find wonderful careers to begin again. It was so hard to see them go, way too far from the nest.

But we were proud of them; what fine adults they both have become. A few months into their new adventure, I got the phone call of a lifetime. “Yes, Mom, you’re going to be a grandmother!” How bittersweet that was. Long distance, but oh yes, I was over the moon.

Fast forward to now, over five years later. It’s been difficult having them so far away and I especially miss watching my beautiful granddaughter grow. Until this past year, I’ve been trying to visit them at least once or twice a year and they the same. Every visit I wonder “will she remember me?” Somehow though the miles distance us for long periods of time she has bonded with me more than I could have dreamed. Last year when they came for Christmas and she was using me for her personal jungle-gym, I thought to myself, Guess it is possible!

As I said earlier, late last night, my phone rang. My son called to tell me they’re coming to visit. They will be here for a whole week! They arrive next Friday. Who cares about the bedlam and chaos we’re trying to sort through. All that matters is my “boy” and his family are coming.  There will be hugs to be had, stories to exchange, ideas to discuss. And let’s not forget games to be played, giggles to be had, and pillow forts to build on Gramma’s bed.

Yesterday’s tomorrow is a much better day. I sit at my computer, still surrounded by boxes. Hubby feels a bit better; he’s napping. I, my friends, share this with tears of joy in my eyes and a grin from ear to ear. Finally, my Christmas miracle!