Get Ready for Help: You are going to need help doing even the simple things after a while.  Your children are going to need help helping you.  Accept it.  Be freed by it.  It won’t hurt you, and it doesn’t mean that you’re helpless.  It means that you are reaping the benefits of being a good parent.

They Know You Can Do It: But let them do it for you.  You can maneuver. You can drive. You can make the meal.  You can shop. You can walk, work, and go. They want to help you.  That’s why they offer.  Just yield to them. Take the opportunity to rest. To be catered to. To be treated like the Mother you are. One worthy of respect and assistance.  The receiver of returned favors and love.  Be the mirror. Still, shiny, there.

You Did It Too: Insert here all of the things you will never say aloud. All the wild things, forgotten things. The missed opportunities. Regret. Shame. Risks and scary episodes only you know have occurred. Maybe simple things like not following up or not texturizing a thank you.  No matter what it is, you know you have had your moments.  Now you know you know.

They will wonder: You will be the topic of their conversation.  Questions like: What are we going to do? will be asked.  They will wonder if you know that you are more than forgetful; if you know that it takes all of them to keep all of you together.  They may be reluctant to tell you for fear of hurting your feelings or worse, hearing your denial.  This is the time when you will know how good a parent you have been; how well you cared for your garden.

Vacation is a state of mind: You should go somewhere.  You should visit your friends whom you haven’t seen in a long time.  Hang out.  Go to the beach. Eat what you want. Dance a little.  Hell –go on a dive trip.  A photographic expedition. Go away for a long weekend. Yes.  Prepare well. Pack light. Be safe. Have fun. I bet your smile is pulsing through your chest and down your arms.

The future is the past: Our technological devices are disposable. The sun burns your skin so much that you and everyone else will wear long sleeve clothes even in the summer time.  You will be encouraged to be vaccinated with sunscreen or be satisfied to be outside from the inside.  A true airquarium.

Yes.  Things cost that much.  You will remember when a pair of jeans was 60 to 100 dollars as an adult and about 10 dollars when you were a teenager.  You will remember buying a car for 40K when now a car costs twice as much.  Perhaps gas is 10 dollars a gallon with an electric alternative.  A house for 350k is then is over one million now.  Yes.  Things really do cost that much.