LOOKING AHEAD AGAIN
It's almost been 6 years since I wrote my last post. And my last post was looking into the future I am living now. So weird to look back on it. Also weird to see I could stand such small typing. I've increased the font so it's easier for these old eyes to read.
Now, we have fewer animals. Just Jake - who's so old and deaf - but still bounces around in the backyard like a puppy. And Alley who doesn't seem to age at all.
Jack is 24 ... working on his accounting degree and living the dream. Kyle, 21, is a senior in Journalism at MIZZOU. If you'd told me 5 years ago he wanted to be a producer, I would have laughed and denied it. Nick, 19, is about to start his sophomore year at Pepperdine. Also, unexpected, but so fun to see him in his element.
I was right that empty nesting meant a cleaner house and no empty milk cartons in the fridge. But I'm actually ok with that. Nick is home for the summer....so to speak...he is often out doing stuff and leaving behind evidence that he's been around. I like having him home. I also like the empty-nester life. It's pretty cool.
Ryan is still President at Ink Inc. PR. Me? I've moved out of the newsroom - sort of. I'm still in news - working for the company that owns the station I worked for most recently as the AM EP. My fancy title is "Director, Newsroom Training & Development." August I will start my third year in this role. And I'm in love with my job. In past posts, I complained about lack of sleep. I'm totally getting enough sleep now - and my brain doesn't spin for hours before I fall asleep. It's fantastic. In fact, looking through old posts, I had many complaints. I really don't anymore. Life is good. Really.
In case I wait another 5-6 years before posting again, I want to look ahead again. I got such a kick out of reading what I thought 5 years would bring - and comparing it to what actually happened.
I'm NOT going to prognosticate any marriages or babies. No one needs that pressure. Though in 5 years, it could happen. But I'm not rushing anyone. In July of 2029 Jack will be 29 years old. Almost 30!!! That's crazy talk. I'm in denial about my own age. I went to a New Kids on the Block concert and thought everyone there was old ... then I realized I was one of them. Anyway, Kyle will be 26. Where will he go to produce? Will he aspire to be an EP? He's said "anywhere but KS or MO." So who knows. He'll have his choice, though, as his job is one that is really needed in the biz. I hope he picks somewhere cool to visit.
Nick will be out of college - I'll have no more college students - just college loans! Fun! I hope he finds something he loves. And he'll finally be able to have all the animals he wants.
Who knows if Ryan and I will be doing the same jobs. Five years is a long time. Not long enough to retire, though. We'll celebrate 30 years of marriage during the 5 years I'm looking ahead at. I'm hoping for another big trip, like the one to France we took for our 25th. Not much can beat that, though.
I wrote my last post in July of 2018. Little did I know 1 year later I would no longer have my dad. Today marks 5 years since he passed. I'm trying really hard to celebrate his life today, rather than mourn. But I do really, really miss him and hate that he's missed the last 5 years of fun things our families have done.
Really, I hope for good health and happiness over the next 5 years. And adventures...right, Dad? Adventures.
