Transitions !

Changes.          They can be good - even if slightly scary !


I heard that one of the "Dirty Dozen" passed his driving test yesterday.      I sent my congratulations! 


Its not just about them growing up - it includes all the responsibilities of adulthood that suddenly come to these "children". Wriggles was about 10 years old when we first met him ..... now, he is a new driver and one of the group going off to Uni. He will do well.


We have had a few days of sad farewells ...... but we should remember that these are only farewells NOT goodbyes - we will see much of the group again (not just the "Dirty Dozen" but the "Magnificent 7" and the "Famous 5") at Christmas and no doubt my Dan will pop down to see various of his friends at Uni over party filled weekends !


The Dirty Dozen were a particular group that practically lived at my house at weekends through the years of 2009 and 2010. When hubby and I went on Holiday to Egypt, over the period of my birthday, I came home to the most fabulous birthday present - which was that the group had re-decorated my bathroom !


I know what some of you re thinking, ..... yes they did have parties ..... but no they didn't HAVE to redo the bathroom, it was a genuine gift!


They had taken up the moth eaten old carpet and replaced with nice new grey fleck vinyl flooring. New towel rack with new matching towels, new mirror, new loo seat in matching grey, new loo roll holder, new shower curtain, NEW BATH,  and completely redecorated - painting with a light, charcoal type grey that all just fitted perfectly!


They had all played their part, the boys perhaps doing a little more of the practical stuff - and they even paid a plumber to install and plumb in the new bath. 


That was 2 years ago and I still have the wrapping paper on the door that they put up as my birthday wrapping !


That was a good change. 


I have always said to them that parties were OK as long as I came back to the house intact, nothing out of place and no major injuries. I know they moved the furniture upstairs on one occasion to ensure the safety of ..... just everything! - but on each of  the few occasions when  hubby and I have gone away, I have returned to a house actually cleaner than when we left. 


The first time we went away was on our honeymoon when Jess was 18, Gina 16 and Dan 14.


They were still at school and Jess made sure they got in to school every day! The grandparents and their Uncle and Aunt were only just down the road and my good friends popped in to make sure they were not just eating takeaways but on the whole they and their friends were responsible and sorted, an acknowledgement that they were all good kids - not just my 3 - and would all do well in the future.


So these transitions are a part of life's rich tapestry. They start from the smallest of adventures (going to pre-school and school for the first time). Begin to take on more significance as we change to upper schools, move house, sometimes lose those we love, change friendships and continue to take on those major transitions of Uni, moving in with partners and having our own children.


SCARY yes ..... but good !!!             


Roots and Wings - these are your WINGS !