Monday, November 19, 2007

A Bittersweet Night


It hit me tonight. As we all gathered on the back porch, making Welcome Home signs for Paul, I realized that it was the last night like this. After 6 months of sharing dinners, listening to Blues Clues in the background and the general noise of the Nuthouse, it would all change tomorrow.

No more hearing Tate shout, "TA DAAAAA!" as he showed me whatever delighted him. No more running in the door yelling "Grammy!" with his big hugs and loud kisses. I will pass the frozen waffles at Meijers and tear up and no one will know why. We will stop eating white rice 100 times a week and start throwing away leftovers. I know I will start looking for a little lunch partner about 11:30...maybe one who really likes broccoli.

If I start singing "You just got a letter...." people will think I am crazy.

Andy and Catie will be lost without Cat's Taxi service, which was at their beck and call for 6 months. She was a pretty easy mark. They had it made! McDonald's runs, "I forgot my homework" runs, go to the mall, get a haircut, pick me up from...whatever! They were just plain enjoying each other. We all knew it.

I told Cat tonight that although I have certainly had my crabby days in the past 6 months, I have always had her company. We bickered little and loved a lot. We shared a tough time and made a good summer out of it. God knew what he was doing. He put us together and then brought Paul home safely, so they could be a family again. It is how it should be, but it still makes me sad. It doesn't even make me feel better now that I can go back to smoking in teh house! My back porch got winterized, thanks to Cat!

I will just miss them desperately.