10 Reasons I’m looking forward to the Zombie Apocalypse

 

There’s a lot of talk lately about the Zombie Apocalypse, and honestly, from everything I’ve seen, it looks to be, well, apocalyptic. But there’s an upside to everything, so here’s why I’m not afraid:

·      There’s plenty of food. At least, no one ever seems worried about where their next meal is coming from. I live near three grocery stores, and I’m ALWAYS thinking about my next meal.

·      And yet, no one ever has to cook. When they DO eat, it seems to appear from nowhere, or is being served up cafeteria style by anonymous people. I’m guessing they’re volunteers. Good for them.

·      It’s always warm. Downright sweaty, even. Why else would all the women be wearing tank tops?

·      No one worries about the price of gas. Of course, it’s a little harder to find a gas station, but that doesn’t seem to be an impediment to driving endless hours.

·      Everyone miraculously knows how to shoot a gun. Even if they’ve never owned, or actually even held, one. Really, I can’t wait to be able to blow out a brain at 50 paces – pretty impressive.

·      And guns are plentiful. In fact, they seem to just show up in the oddest places. Like the trunks of cars. Although maybe I’m just being naïve, and everyone actually keeps a stash of firearms and ammo except me.

·      You never have to shower. Or do laundry for that matter. A huge plus in my book.

·      And still, everyone manages to look somewhat attractive. Seriously, when I don’t shower for more than two days in a row, my family starts avoiding me. Maybe it works better when everyone is skanky. 

·      Plus no one has to do housework. Of course, no one has their own house, either, but that’s beside the point.

·      The kids don’t fight with each other. Because they’re fighting zombies. Which is more lethal, but still…

Bring it on, zombies!

Childhood: done

It’s taken almost 17 years, but it suddenly hit me last night: this was my daughter’s childhood. And it’s just about over.

We were cleaning her pet rat’s cage – for the last time, I was hoping. Seriously, I love that little furry critter, but it’s getting to the end of its natural life, and, given their lifespan, we won’t be getting more. I don’t want to be left raising rats after my daughter is gone herself. Nope, I’m scaling back, preparing to have one less kid around.

And that’s when I realized she was done. Done raising rats, done being raised herself. Of course, I know that’s not REALLY true, and that she’ll still need guidance and love and all that. But the bulk of her childhood is over, and I’m left hoping I did it right. And a little terrified that I haven’t.

I don’t really plan; I more fly by the seat of my pants. But still, I had a vague idea early on of what my kids’ childhoods would look like, mostly loosely based on a smoothed out version of my own. And for the most part it’s gone along that way. But I haven’t really questioned whether it was the right way, until now. A little late, I know. And so I find myself frantically examining the life they’ve led, wondering what I’ve left out, in leaving it to chance.

What can, or should, I add in now? Have we done enough bonding activities? Have I been around enough to be there for her, or too much, not giving her enough independence? Has she learned how to stand up for herself, be her own person, and to cook enough not to starve? Is she truly ready to go forth and meet the world on her terms?

I have no idea. I’m hoping: hoping she doesn’t end up on a therapist’s couch, lamenting all the ways I’ve let her down. Hoping she’s strong enough to navigate the world without getting sucked down into it.

You know, they leave us by increments, starting with that first step, and then moving to their first sleepover, first bus ride, first boyfriend, yada yada yada. So small you don’t even notice. Until you do.

This is what flying by the seat of your pants gets you, unlike those organized people who had a plan and followed through, whose kids, I have no doubt, had happy, lovely, carefree childhoods with all kinds of happy memories and appropriate life lessons. I’ll be the parent frantically cramming in those last-minute things right up until I drop her in her dorm room, I’m sure.

Last night I realized I can see the finish line, the point where I stay here while she keeps going. I don’t think I’m ready – who ever is, really? – but I’m thinking of all the things I think I can do in the time I have left. I just have to plan.