Where did the time go?

My mother used to gently scold me for wanting to grow up too quickly as a child. She would say, "Just wait, one day you'll be all grown up, and time will seem to fly by faster with each passing year." Now, with a heart full of nostalgia, I truly understand her words.

One moment, you're joyfully riding your bike through the neighborhood with friends, the sun warming your face, and the next, you're nervously driving your first car to school, feeling a mix of excitement and freedom. Then comes the whirlwind of dating, marriage, and the beautiful chaos of having babies. That's when time starts to flow like a rushing river after the snow melts and the spring rains arrive, sweeping us along in its current.

As I watched my children grow up in the blink of an eye, I found myself longing for the cuddles and snuggles we used to share. I can still picture their little hands reaching out to me, wanting to be picked up and comforted. The sweet scent of their hair and the softness of their cheeks next to mine are memories I hold dear, like treasured keepsakes tucked away in my heart.

Now, my children have children, and their children have babies. Wow! Where did the time go? It feels like just yesterday we were creating memories together.

Becoming Granny T

My daughter, Autumn, blessed me with my first grandchild, Mitchell Cole IV. He named me Granny T when he was about 3 years old, and from that moment on, my heart expanded in ways I never knew possible. As they say in the movies, the rest is history. I now have the joy of 6 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, each one a precious thread in the tapestry of my life.

Family!!

I fondly remember my daughter calling me for advice when her kids were sick or facing school challenges. I can still hear her voice, filled with worry, as she reached out for help. There were times when I was called upon multiple times in one month to rush to the emergency room with 3 of her 5 children. She was terrified that child protective services would think she was harming them. In reality, they were just being adventurous—falling over fences, slipping on hardwood floors, knocking out teeth, and doing all the wild things that children do, all in a short span of time. Each incident, while chaotic, was woven into the fabric of our family story, filled with love and laughter amidst the little mishaps.

What Now?

Getting older can sometimes feel like a tough breakup—it's a bit of a bumpy ride, isn't it? But just like death and taxes, it’s something we can’t escape, so we might as well learn to roll with the punches! You eventually come to terms with the fact that your kids don’t cling to you like they used to. And those adorable grandkids? They’re growing up fast! Instead of begging you for a weekend sleepover, they’re now asking for a ride to the mall. Oh, the times they are a-changin’! 😂

And let’s not forget the delightful maze of insurance that comes with turning 65! Navigating Medicare and Social Security benefits—what a fun little puzzle! The younger crowd likes to call these “entitlements,” but hey, we’ve earned them through years of hard work! If you find yourself needing to keep working past 65, I hope you’ve got a job already, because sometimes it feels like employers forget we exist!

To my friends under 65, I just want to shout from the rooftops that seniors have so much to bring to the table!

• Experience: No need for a training manual! We know how to handle workplace drama, tight deadlines, and all those pesky changes.

• Reliability and Work Ethic: We show up and get things done without needing a babysitter!

• Communication Skills: We’ve got patience and professionalism down to an art.

• Lower Turnover: We won’t jump ship for a measly 50-cent raise!

• Wisdom: We’ve gathered a treasure trove of knowledge from all those years of living life.

After knocking on quite a few doors, I’ve made a big leap and decided to move across the country to one of the most stunning places on the planet... Yellowstone National Park! I’m packing up my years of accounting experience and setting off on this exciting adventure. This website will be my little corner of the internet dedicated to my family, my past, and all the new escapades waiting for me in the park!