Here We Go Again...Falling Back!

                                                                      

Is it really that time again? Guess so...against our wishes. The unwelcomed "falling back." We love the extra hour of sleep we gain but hate the hour of sun we lose.

Who can we blame - or I mean give credit - for this regular occurrence that makes zero sense to most of us? Most attribute DST to Good Ole Ben Franklin but the worthy recipient should be George Hudson. Why anyone listened to this man in New Zealand in 1895, I'm not sure. Being an entomologist, he wanted more daylight to track down his bugs.

We've been bugged by this ever since.

Benjamin Franklin jested about DST in a satirical essay in 1784 proclaiming candles and lamp oil could be saved by changing sleep schedules. Guess Ben underestimated his influence not knowing we'd hang on to his every word even when he was merely joking. He is undeserving of the accreditation for such as this and he's probably really glad that's the case!

Germany first instated DST during WWI to conserve energy, but President Lyndon B. Johnson is who we can hold responsible for bringing it to the U.S.A. and bringing us less sunny days.

I'm writing to you in the midst of many yawns. Many feelings of it being much later in the day than it actually is. My afternoon coffee has to come way earlier than usual to keep me going. Some of us, maybe many of us, suffer from "seasonal affective disorder." That's the fancy term for the give me back my sunshine blues! Our rhythms are thrown off. Our serotonin and melatonin are diminished. We have to ....must do...get out in the lesser sunshine as often as we can. 

If you were like me and had your babies on a schedule, this time change thing really toppled the family apple cart. Routine and predictability gave me sanity. I knew what and when to expect what and when. The anticipated schedule kept everyone's head on straight - mainly mine.

Changing a meager hour can make a major difference. 

I'm glad my only concern today is changing my own personal schedule. No offspring of mine are affected by what I do or when I do it. That comes as a welcomed relief. Empty nest has its many benefits.

Let's take this "falling back" back further...

We do hold special memories from way back that we might want to "fall back" to experience again. I'm now talking years or decades not an hour on the clock. Those Christmas mornings with our littles, those breaking the pinata birthday parties, those school programs, those ball games and dance recitals. But all in all, if I'm honest with myself and with you, I'd prefer not to "fall back." 

I'm enjoying my current stage of life with it's fewer responsibilities. Thank you very much!

Is there any time to which you would want to "fall back"?

For a split second I might say my wedding day. It was grand but I wouldn't want to go through it again if I had to relive that 1st year of marriage adjustment. It was a challenge for us.

Smelling that new born baby smell again would be sweet but going through childbirth to have that experience again  - not so sweet.

Ball games. So many ballgames. Fun times but now it's fun to have a full weekend to do as I please. Often I'm pleased to attend a grandchild's ballgame. My choice.

The endearing times bring challenges along with them. Isn't that how life works? 

My heart went out to the mom I saw at the park this week. She was depending on her oldest son to get her youngest out of the car seat while she corralled her other 4. Yes, she had a total of 6 kids! She had "homeschooling mom" written all over her. I know 'cause I was one! All alone carrying the load outside in the middle of the school day with others' judging eyes upon her. 

I was ever so grateful to have the privilege of homeschooling my boys for 16 years but I am ever so grateful those high-responsibility days are in my past. Don't want to "fall back" there.

My 3 boys' bath times were a circus. I regretfully don't remember when this ringmaster left the monkeys to fend for themselves. Isn't it crazy that we don't realize the last time we will do a certain thing with our children. I suppose that is God's way to protect our momma heart. I don't remember the last bath but I'm just as content that my boys no longer need me to wash the soap out of their hair. I'm happy with only bathing myself. Well, and Murphy too!

When was the last diaper I changed? Don't know. The last meat I had to cut into bite-sized pieces? Don't recall.

The cool thing is when you get to "fall back" into these activities with those precious grandchildren. Your grandchildren may be cute. Mine are extra-cute. Watching them is an honor and privilege. Watching is also a tall task. It may warrant a stiff coffee or long nap as a reward. Your true age may be revealed. Mine usually is.

I started Medicare this month. No way to claim youth now!

I'll admit tucking in for bed one more time, nursing one more time, one more sweet hug, one more time hearing those soft voices might be nice but a lot of work comes with these blessings. Hats Off to all the young moms in the thick of things right now. I simply don't have the energy.

God has us where we are. This empty nester season is full of open opportunity. Our schedule is available to our wishes / our whims / our ways. It's time to pour into others out of ministry, not out of obligation. We no longer have the responsibility to keep anyone alive....except for Murphy! The concept of not cooking for an army each and every day for years and years. Not to mention cleaning up after that army after they march through town!

The books I can read. The TV shows I can watch...uninterrupted. The snacks I no longer have to hide. I can have half a bag all to myself and take over the remainder to share with grandchildren. My choice. Spend some glorious time with them. Goodbye hugs. Back home to rest and recoup.

How do you feel about "falling back"? Let's all share in comments below.

Falling Back is such a hack!

We want more fun out in the sun.

Give us that but not youth again.

Will keep our now with all its wow!