Trying To Be a Grown-Up

Something happens to me as I travel back home--I seem to reverse in age.  The closer I get to my parent's house--I can feel the years slip away.  No longer am I a 50 year old professional educator--with close to a six year degree--a take charge person with a lot of responsibilities; I become something that sounds like this:

"What are you doing?  I just made that bed," questioned my mother as she walked by her room.

"Oh, did you?  I'm sorry (not really because I know it pushes her button) I love your bed," I replied sweetly as I had positioned myself right in the middle of a freshly made bed.

"Young lady, get off of that bed!" said my mother in that "tone".

Recently I traveled home and my brother was also staying with my parents.  Now this was a double bonus to me, not only can I revert back to childhood antics, but I have a sibling to share in the festivities.  The following is a recent conversation as we were headed over to eat out, all of us in a car together:

"Mom, tell M (my brother) to stop flicking me," I whined said as I glared at my brother in the back seat.

A few more flicks to the ear (my ear) as my parents were really not paying attention.

"Dad, tell M to stop flicking me in the ears."

"How old are you? I recall you are 50 and your brother is 49," replied my mother.

My brother and I spent several days over the holidays-tackling each other, completely losing our identities as responsible adults.  As we left Ohio and started back, I could feel the years slowly coming back upon my shoulders.

My daughter, who left home over a year ago, was visiting the other day.  I walked in the kitchen and there were her shoes right in the middle of the floor.

"Why do you always leave your shoes in the middle of the room!  You know it drives me crazy!"

"Oh really?" she replied with a Cheshire grin.

I guess things really do come round full circle!  Happy New Years Everyone!