Letting go

“You’re going to have to let us age,” my 72 year old mother-in-law directed me. Ouch. What a way to start a one week adventure in Guadalajara and Nueva Vallarta. Luckily, she went on to try yoga for the first time, conduct a cooking demonstration and go out late at night after early morning walks on the beach. She also reached new heights in expressing anger when she disagreed with my mother and my scrablle rules.

My own mother kept tugging us into the future. Mexican and Chinese husbands would be an asset…except marriage is such an outdated idea. And she correctly saw beauty in everything-the bus trip from Guadalajara was more beautiful and safer than a trip from Phoenix to San Diego. The coastline in Puerto Vallarta reminded her of the Amalfi coast in Italy. The pools overlooking the Pacific Ocean looked even more inviting than her pool at the beach. She could identify a lot of the palm trees and sea birds. We especially loved the frigrates which sat still on a large sculpture in PV. Also, the grand pedestrian boulevards in Guadalajara were lined with imposing buildings hundreds of years old. Fruit trees had plenty of breathing room in open air courtyards. Iris and I used well worn tricks in furtive scrabble games so as not to bother Carol. I forget which Mexican magic she attributed it to but my mother’s radiation burns healed quicker than expected.

How about letting Carol and Iris be ageless. That’s what I’d prefer for myself.  But letting kids go into adults is a great idea. Lauren will major in English and SHE will get her book published. Emily will major in business and figure where to go from there. I still want to help Summer study for the SATs …we’ll see if she lets me. We gave them our credit card last night and after hours in the mall, Lauren, Emily, Summer and their bag handler, Andy, returned with 6 large bags of new clothes and shoes for me from Bellevue Square. Their style is my casual and party style and Grandma and the Air Force provided my preferred work style. Lucky for me to have this guidance.

Eric and I biked  to HBs today where we met HB s parents Lilah(?) and Shel and enjoyed SeaFair for the first time. HB found the pilot’s frequency on his radio gadget (CB?) and we could hear the lead pilot. He actually hummed to keep 4-6 jets in tight formation, said “pull”  to coordinate their climb and calmly directed “smoke on” and “smoke off” during their 200 mph stunts over Lake Washington.  Focused practice that utilizes your talents makes the nearly impossible look easy. Summer runs like she’s competing for state in daily track and cross country practices.“Look out",” the lead pilot said amiably as 4 jets aimed straight at HB’s deck. “And up,” as they veered upwards at the last minute.  Lynelle could float a stunning painting or photo into existence as a child. But every single day she strives for photos that soar higher. “Hello down there,” the lead pilot greeted hundreds of land and water locked people beneath him. It felt like a  part of each of us  flew with them as all six pilots  rocketed straight up in formation and on hearing “delta break” showered out in their own directions.