This is the R.B.Rockwell family. From left is Jessica (age 22), Geoffrey the Old Coot's son, (age 52), our grandson, Christopher (age 16) who is Geoff's son, me AKA "The Old Crone" (age 75) and Rocky, the "Old Coot" (age 79).
We had a typical Christmas at Castle Yonder. At least, as typical as the last decade has been here. We used to have fun with little children playing with toys and young adults setting off fireworks, but now we have sibling arguments, young adult angst, middle-age anxiety, and Old Coot and Old Crone gloom. We are a mess--a real modern family and I'm not going to whitewash it by telling you we live in Hallmark.
In spite of all that, we care about each other, and consider ourselves an unusual family. I miss our former daughter-in-law a lot. She brought a lot of cheer and energy to our gatherings. I'm positive the "children" miss her a lot too from Rockwell celebrations even though they live with her and have developed their own traditions now. She has not been present for one of our Holidays since 1998.
Divorce brings much sadness and heavy hearts for many family members, not just the children and former spouse.
I also miss my own children. We haven't had a family Christmas with the three of them present since 1989. Moving to California can be cost and time prohibitive, and new relationships/families get started.
I liked going on a cruise last year, and would like to do that again although we would need two people to accompany us as wheelchair pushers. I grow less mobile every day although if I wear the portable oxygen and use the cane I can run some errands. I use the little seated grocery cart to do the grocery shopping, and the bagger will load them into my car trunk. Getting them out and into the kitchen presents a challenge.
Rocky spent close to a week in the hospital for gall bladder pain getting discharged on Dec. 21. He is considered "high risk" for surgery because of his lungs and the anesthesia. He's trying to wait it out and with the help of some heavy-duty meds, is controlling the pain so far.
Old Crones and Coots
