Let's try a serious entry

Ahhh, the wheel of life.... today is my grandmother's birthday. She is turning 97. My mother turned 72 two days ago -- all of which tends to make one notice the passing of time. My daughter has started at George Mason University. She has made some friends and has started her journey as an adult. Grandma is ending hers and mom is winding down. So what? Ok, revel time. What about the wheel? Is it time to write something pithy in this venue?

Here goes: some days, *I* feel like a workhorse that is plugging away, spinning on the wheel, and not going anywhere. I do take satisfaction in knowing I have done well by my kids so far and as they begin to leave, I change from modelling "adultness" and advising, to watching from the sidelines - which has been the whole goal. But, for the first time in 18 years, I have to ask, what do I do next? Ok, I have some time since my son is a junior in high school, but do I quit the rat race (jumping off one wheel) and shuck as many attachments to this plane as possible? Or do I do the selfish thing and pursue pleasure, hobbies, meaningless pursuits (another spinning yet pointless wheel)? Some, like my auntie, take a spirit path at this point, but she also is still very much materialistic (shouldn't tell on my aunt like that, but I find humor in irony). I could go on, but that is enough for one sitting.

Time is a circle; meaningless except as a point of reference. Well, today, I am the point of reference and maybe looking to change to a different reference, another wheel. Is it boredom? Is it almost time? Do I need to change anything at all? Ah well, there is much thinking to be done, and today is just one reminder of many.

Still above ground

First posting. It seems so odd to put oneself out in the open. Maybe "trapped in a tree" is an ok place to be. I may get used to this, but not yet.