make friends with change. it's the only thing you can count on. ~chinese proverb

today marks the third consecutive day of kid-free mornings. i'm still having to remind myself that the silence doesn't forewarn of kid mischief in another room. baby sis is in pre-k. big sis is in 2nd grade. big bro is in a new school for 5th grade. the walls and small animals are safe from kid mischief. for now. i have time to remember that four years ago i was a respectable grandma who handed spoiled rotten grandkids back to responsible caregivers. i have been demoted to "mom" by celestial decree.

the start of school year has been chaotic enough to feel like fulfillment of the covidic prophesies of 2020. the employee shortage coupled with the increased demands for all the new safety and tracking laws have everybody running circles. none of the apps are performing as expected, etc., etc. this first week has been rougher-than-usual. prayers needed and appreciated.

still. . . this body of FUBARs feels tame compared to the shock of inheriting 3 young orphans at age 65. i am risking the sin of pride over how well our little ship of fools is riding the crests of these stormy sees. fear not the storms, my children. let us study on how to navigate our ship.

i believe that i am holding steady and speaking honestly when i leave the mood icon squarely on okay, but i feel shakey enough to ask for reality checks. am i making sense or sliding down the proverbial rabbit hole again? in my personal herstory, every psychotic break has been preceeded by absolute certainty that i was fine. how are you? i have come to believe that reality checks are beneficial.

thoughts? opinions? experience? unsolicited advice?