The Nights are Long but the Years are Short

We have all experienced long long nights.  Usually it's because we are worried about something or someone.  Sometimes it's just because you can't sleep very well.  I had one of those long nights this past week.  Wide awake in the middle of the night thinking about everything from Irene to Ryan.  These are lyrics from the Red Hot Chili Peppers:  the nights are long but the years are short.

New parents often have long nights--and so do the children.  The kids can usually sleep it off during the next day, but the parents can't.  Parents of teenagers have REALLY long nights, especially that first summer they have their drivers license.  Curfews don't matter, only the sound of the car in the driveway brings peace and the chance for sleep.

But, at the same time, the years are very very short. As you know, we just celebrated the 20th anniversary of buying our house and Judy and Patrick celebrated their 20th annivarsary too.  Where did the time go?  The years are such brief images flashing by that they seem to blend into a seamless dream. 

Ryan went back to Cortland yesterday to start his sophomore year.  What a difference 12 months makes!  Ryan has grown so much in the last year and I'm very proud of him.  Much of the worry I lost sleep over a year ago melted into minor anxieties this summer.  He seems confident and happy and now I can rest easy.  Well, easier.  If only the damn hurricane winds and rain would stand down.........