ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʟᴇꜱꜱᴇʀ ɢᴏᴅ

"Yeah I guess most kids aren't excited about protein bowls." Harley realized out loud. It was probably something really sweet. "For sure, I wanted to get something from the Ojichan n...." Harley stared at his hand as he tried to fingerspell the Japanese word, but he wasn't confident about it, so he shook out his hand and approached it from a different angle. "Bryan's food truck." So much easier to sign!

“Probably not,” Lara agreed. Her daughter wasn’t super picky, which made things a lot easier. She nodded along with the words and took a closer look. “I really like his sushi rolls with the extra sauce. Sometimes Lily and I grab the noodle bowls when we’re on the go,”

He may think that, but he clearly has no idea what he's talking about. I'm glad it's going well for both of you, though. The main problem I find with new drivers is other people's impatience. They can be a complete nightmare, never giving anyone any time. People seem to forget they didn't know how to do it either at one point.

It’s been a process everyone has to get used to. But I think she’s going to love it more than me loving the fact that she’s so close to driving. We’ve been practicing and I’ve probably sprouted more gray hairs this week than I have in the past year. How have you been otherwise? Having a good summer?

That's a good idea, actually. Might as well get a jump start on it now, yeah? Rather than feeling like it's all overwhelming and happening too soon. Mostly the fun stuff -- Shawn and Colton actually took me camping for Father's Day, so we went kinda off grid up in the mountains for a few days, just got back today. Now we'll be getting Shawn ready to head down to Maryland. I'd like to get a trip in at some point, but we'll see, you know how it is with timing.

Exactly! Woah, it feels surreal doesn't it? This is their last year of high school. And we're only going to get more of them together. That's exciting! I love that for you, you guys had a good time? Absolutely, I have one class to teach during the summer as my catch-up/intro session but after that I told Lily we're going to see where we can take a look for schools. I already have correspondence from Gallaudet since that's my alma mater, but at the same time it would be really nice to visit there again anyway.

"Drizzle bowl?" Harley asked, not familiar with the concept. "Is it like...a healthy bowl with something drizzled on top? But it sounds like it could maybe be ice cream, too?" They waited until Lara was looking at them to continue signing. "I could definitely go for some street tacos right now!"

"Something like that? She didn't say. I'm guessing it is something the kids enjoy," Lara said, shaking her head with a laugh. "She did mention ice cream too. So maybe we can ask around to see what's available," she said.

That's got to be rough... for her. Amusing and really fun for you! I'd imagine that you have a ton of stories that you get to tell her now and they all start with, "back in my day." And she probably rolls her eyes and pretends not to listen while hanging on to your every word. Ooh, that's a scary thought. I don't know which is scarier -- the wine or the coffee! Wine means old enough to drink, coffee means pulling all nighters! I've been good, really settling into this nice summer weather now that it's hear. Can't lie, it makes me feel more in my element!

A bit of both, yes. I feel like the moment I start with that, she decides not to listen. But then again, she's a teenager, what else should I expect! Oh gosh, now that you put it that way... I'm thinking about it now. I did both in college. The drinking and drinking coffee, pulling those all-nighters. Yes! The summer weather is so nice--perfect for the carnival!

"It's very exciting," she agreed with a broad smile, doing her best to sign the words while speaking carefully, not wanting to miss anything. "And also sort of surreal, having a daughter in college, period," she laughed at that, shrugging both of her shoulders. Sometimes, Essie wondered when she had gotten so old, when all of this had happened. But it was the life she loved, too. "Absolutely, it's a good idea. Since Mae wanted to study veterinarian medicine, she volunteered at the animal shelter a lot, and got to shadow one of the veterinarians at the vet's office."

Lara nodded, following along with what Esther was saying. She was impressed and grateful for the effort. “Oh nice! I still don’t really know what Lily wants to do,” she signed slowly before pulling her phone out and typing out her next message. “She says that she’s interested in everything,” she smiled with a shake of her head. “Veterinary medicine is a good one, though!”

So, now that school's out for summer, do you and Lily have any big plans? I can't believe how fast the school year went... although I shouldn't say that. It'll be a blink and you'll miss it kind of summer until the first day is here. Feels like the last week leading up to school always ends up being so hectic, and yet... I never start planning for it any earlier, each year.

We may take a trip to check out some schools while it's summertime, that depends on if she wants to stay around town for summer camp. I know this summer will go by so fast and then our kids will be seniors! It's so so crazy. I know she will be doing some extra studying as it goes, but I do want us to have a lot of fun too. How about you and Colton? Any big plans with the family?

"Oh...I haven't decided yet." Harley replied. They were trying to find a healthier option. "I feel really sick whenever I eat a lot of fried food. So chicken tenders and corn dogs are definitely out. Was hoping for some kind of protein bowl, but I might settle for street tacos. What were you thinking about?"

"My daughter recommended something about a drizzle bowl? I can't remember," she chuckled. "But she will also eat just about anything," she nodded, glancing around for any sign of her daughter around, but she was already off with her friends. "Street tacos sound delicious though," she nodded pointedly towards the food trucks.

You're teaching her to drive? I don't envy you there at all. I had enough problems trying to teach one of my nieces. But I guess we can blame that on the fact I've always kind of sucked anyway. I'm still not entirely sure why my brother trusted me with it.

I am! And it's a challenge and a learning curve for both of us. I've never taught anyone before, and she's pretty good at reading signals, but sometimes the sounds from behind throw her off. So it's all a bit getting used to the process. He probably thinks you're a good teacher!

It's so funny how fast you empty it out... only to have it fill back up again, right? Easy come, and come... and come... and then we struggle to let it go! Oh no, coming to the conclusion that parents were once young and hip is so rough, you have to basically rethink everything that you thought that you knew when you realize that! Trendy's good, though. She can stay ahead of the curve when she raids your closet.

Right! That is so true. It's all part of growing up and figuring things out. Yeah, she is just coming to that conclusion that I was once her age and I actually did fun things too. That I'm not just 'mom' and I can still do fun things! It's crazy how that happens. Next thing I know she's going to be asking me for advice on how to drink coffee and what a good bottle of wine is. I hope so! She likes a lot of things, so that's a start! How have you been?

"Of course!" Esther beamed at Lara, speaking the words carefully, and doing her best to pick up on the sign language she had learned through the years. Getting to spend time with a friend? Something that Esther definitely did not take for granted these days. "So far, so good," she replied with a nod, "she's definitely ready for spring break. Has some plans to travel with her friends, wants to be here for the carnival. Your daughter -- she's ending her junior year of high school?"

Lara nodded appreciatively at Essie's signing. She nodded at her. "I'm glad to hear it!" She knew Essie's daughter was already in college, so it was a big deal, especially since Lily would be in that spot soon. She had to admit, she wasn't quite ready. "That's exciting!" Lara nodded. "She is. I know Lily wants to do some volunteering over the summer, and it'll help for college too," she said. "What did Mae do to prepare?"

“Thank you,” Lara said with a nod. She had to make sure the kitchen was stocked, especially with breaks coming up. She’d be busy with some work and Lily would be doing her own thing. But it wasn’t all too hard. “What do you recommend?” She asked with a smile, taking a look around.

"That's what I keep telling myself," he said with a gruff laugh, knowing there was a little truth to it. But Cage knew better; each kid that you raised was different. They had different personalities, different flaws, different things to worry about. And different goals and dreams, too, which meant that for each kid, you needed to change your approach, change the way that you helped them out. By the time Ronan got to the point Shawn was at, who knew what was going to end up happening? "But you know what? It's fun, honestly," and it was also stressful and there was so much pressure involved, but raising kids, turning them into little adults that went out into and took over the world… it was fun, it made him feel like he had a purpose. Watching as she stepped up to the line, he grinned, crossing his arms over his chest. As she hit just off the center, and then the second one, he uncrossed his arms to give her a thumbs up, waiting for her third shot. "Let's see that last one."

Kids and their personalities was something Lara slowly learned about over the years. That included her years of being in theatre and teaching. At least with her daughter, she would get to see most of it happening in real time. She enjoyed it, because it just showed how special Lily was. “I love it,” she gave him a smile. No matter how frustrating some days would get, being a mom was her favorite part of her life. After a beat, she tossed her last dart, and it barely missed the target. She laughed and clapped her hands. “Nice work,” she said, raising her hand to give Cage a high five.