This morning I made a concerted effort to get on the floor and stretch. As I attempted touching my toes, with outstretched legs, and felt all the muscles in my legs and back seize up ... I pondered how long it has been since I've really devoted myself to being limber and flexible. I'd guess 1985?
It doesn't seem that long ago that I could contort myself in to a pretzel with zero pain. It also doesn't seem like that long ago that I met the love of my life during what was supposed to be a brief exchange from South Carolina to California (1991); we brought home three babies from the hospital (2004) and a little surprise a few years later (2007). Nor does it seem so long ago that we moved with four preschoolers from California to Virginia (2010); then packed up four pre-teens and moved from Virginia to Texas (2015).
In all honesty, it seems like just last month we took what was supposed to be a six-week road trip to check out colleges. Alas, time goes by at a dizzying clip, and a week ago today, the triplets graduated from high school. The transformation in these three kids over the past 20 months has been nothing short of a miracle. Remember, a pivotal decision in our move surrounded the struggles Carolyn in particular was facing at her school in Texas. In Vermont, she wound up graduating with multiple honors and unbeknownst to anyone until the commencement ceremony, received a Memorial Scholarship to boot.
(Albeit gut-wrench fear inducing, did we make the correct decision to move? HECK YES.)
Charlie's three siblings - and their spouses - flew in from California for the festivities. My sisters Eileen and Beth traveled in from Michigan and Massachusetts, respectively. My dad's youngest sister, Peggy, also drove up from Boston. My great-nephew, Ryan, who is the same age as the triplets (and is slated to join the Marines in September), was here from Massachusetts, too. A good friend that we met through my mother when she lived in Florida, but who resides in Connecticut, Flavia, made the trip north. And then there were so many wonderful friends that we've made since we've moved to Vermont, less than two years ago, that descended on our beloved "Butternut House" for a graduation party that lasted late in to the evening and over the next few days.
The Butternut House, that within the past three months has endured more construction than I can fathom. Not sure that it's more improbable that we got it all done in time ... or, that we successful in wrangling qualified contractors in a severely depleted market to:
Construct a new bedroom and bathroom in our basement along with new floors, doors and windows, paint and heating. Ceilings replaced in the main level due to water damage - recessed lights installed - interior repainted. Exterior has been painted once (25% of the house before we determined the color was wrong) - twice (50% of the house before we determined this color was also wrong) - three times (was the charm!)...
A new roof installed - exterior lighting added - new gutters installed - epoxy garage floor - more doors and windows - and a massive landscaping project that is still going on to this day.
What better time to rip your house and yard COMPLETELY apart than a few months before a big party?
What better time to undertake SUBSTANTIAL home improvement than before triplets start college?
Hahahahahaha!! We've always been a little insane. It gives life ZEST!!
On the upside: the house looks fantastic and it was all done in time. (Not perfect, but well enough.)
The day after graduation, Carolyn packed up and moved to summer camp in the northeast kingdom, where she will be a rowing instructor for the next nine weeks.
William and Elizabeth are working together at an outdoor camping store for the next six weeks - before William ships off to Germany for a year on a US Congressional Scholarship. Elizabeth and Carolyn will be moving out of the house and on to the campus at the University of Vermont in less than 10 weeks. Next year, when William returns from Germany, the plan is that he will join his sisters as a Catamount at UVM.
It really seems like the past couple of decades have been dizzying times indeed.
In the months ahead, Charlie and I are very excited to turn more attention to Henry. And, increase our flexibility. Maybe I can sign the three of us up for a gymnastics class?
I bet Henry would really love that!
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