Say Yes

We recently married off our daughter Emma. What a silly turn of phrase. All we did is pay for it. It’s her life. Their love. Their new life together, but if anything it is a milestone–a beginning of sharing her with another. An ending of our baby girl being ours.

A moment, to say yes to whatever is next. When I retired from our company due to migraines, grief really, I couldn’t see far enough ahead to have a future. Now that the migraines are gone, it’s time to dream.

I haven’t wanted to imagine it. I can’t really bear the weight of potential.

One child’s had a baby, made us grandparents, we accept with the ground rules kids bring to new life these days. I hope to be a good influence, if allowed.

Another got married. Others work or go to school, the future is unwritten for them. Their stories are midsentence, if you will.

What about me? I just turned sixty, which I find incomprehensible. In my mind’s eye I’m about thirty. I literally look at wedding photos as if seeing a stranger. Who is that old woman?

And what’s next for her?