The Parking Lot
We’re noticing another sign of the aging of our offspring lately. Our house has started to look like we’re having a party even when we’re not. On any given night, we might have a full driveway and a string of cars up and down the street. I am starting to think we might need to hire a valet to make it easier for me to get in and out of the garage.
It really hit home for me the other night when I went out to dinner with some friends to celebrate a birthday. When I left, it was just Mark and the girls at home. When I returned, there were at least three or four other cars. When you add those to our own four cars, it looked like there was a special event going on. And, of course, with those cars in the driveway, I couldn’t get into the garage.
Thankfully, the modern technology came to my rescue. I called Mark from my cell phone and let him know we needed a bit of car juggling to happen. Then I settled in and listened to the radio for a minute. I soon saw a couple of young people emerge from the house and move their cars so I could get into the garage. By the time I got out of my van and wandered into the den, the young folks were back to cooking and feasting on crepes. (Yes, there was some sort of impromptu party at the house and the kids were cooking crepes with various fruit and chocolate fillings. Who knew kids these days were cooking crepes?!)
The teens that had been parked in the driveway were super polite about the inconvenience. I assured them I wasn’t at all upset; just didn’t want to have to wander out to my car in the rain the next day. They’re a nice bunch, these kids. I wouldn’t want them to feel at all unwelcome.
I hope my neighbors don’t feel upset about the parking lot over here at our house. I remember when I was a kid we found the teenagers next door fascinating with all their comings and goings and activities. I remember a few nights when they had parties and we girls would peek out our windows when we had been put to bed. I am sure my parents could have done without the noise of the teens next door keeping us awake. I hope our girls won’t be the neighborhood nuisance.
But I also realize that this is a finite situation. In a short few years our house won’t be the one with the parking lot out front. Our house won’t be the one with noisy teens in and out at all hours of the day and night. We won’t be the house with kids on the screened porch playing guitars and ukuleles at night.
Soon enough the only cars left in the “parking lot” will be mine and Mark’s. We’ll miss the parking lot, won’t we?
