Interestingly, the idea of the perfect New Years Eve has changed for my daughter as much as it has changed for me. With a free evening and no children, she and her husband opted not to go out and party but to stay home, eat fancy cheese and drink fancy wine. This, by the way, played into my plan perfectly, I think. I have to say that if their house had one more boy in it, I would not have to come down to Calgary to know what was going on--I could hear them from the farm!
Life never goes where you plan it--a fact I have learned to accept and embrace. The plan s for this year off of work have changed radically at least 3 times, and I suspect they will change again. Interesting that one thing that I never planned for this year off was to spend so much time with the boys (son and grandsons), and yet that is what I find myself doing and loving! I am writing this blog as I watch the boys Wii-ing and screaming and bugging the cat. My daughter is off doing something important (like drinking a coffee and reading the paper at a Starbucks somewhere, I suspect), so we are all happy. I may never finish making my electric car or any of the hundred other things I have considered doing this year, but I will never again have a 2,4 and 13-year-old who will tolerate my presence either. Building memories will last long after the electric car would have rusted away.
Just in case you think I have been sucked into some estrogen vortex that has removed all the piss and vinegar from what used to be me, you will be happy to know that the old Gordon is still alive and well. I received a work-related email this week that, with one sentence, managed to raise my blood pressure like a cartoon thermometer and triggered a rant that was truly worthy of my top ten! I wish I had recorded it! So yes, I am still that guy but with a few more layers added.
Happy New Year! May you embrace and enjoy the change and growth that will surely be part of your year!
