Gen 2 Chapter 12: A Change of Heart

After the girl's birthday, the house never stopped being a flurry of activity. The kids were always busy with something, whether it was school related or extra curricular.  I'd love to fill you in on every detail of my kiddo's lives at this point, but regrettably, this was a time in my life that I started losing touch with what else was going on in in the household. All I can give you is a general idea of what they were up to now a days.

 Harmony mainly worked on her studies. Her work at the Grocery store was going well also.

Melody liked going out and making friends. There was one friend, named Furby that she mentioned often, but I haven't met him or anything.

Symphony still loved her art, but was asking to go out more. I have no idea who she was hanging out with, but she seemed happy.

Cadence was still doing ok in school, I think. Lately, I only heard him in the girl's room, playing arcade games.

Aria and Sonata were good girls, who kept to themselves and stayed out of trouble. They loved the playground we put outside for them, and were usually there after school.

Why, do you ask did  I lose touch with my family? Well, I became obsessed with painting, and it was what I slept, ate and breathed. I could feel my body getting older, and started feeling the urge to accomplish something great. I really wanted to become a painting master.

I would go to sleep for only a few hours, then get up and paint until I couldn't keep my eyes open. Then I would sleep a little until my growling stomach wouldn't allow me to snooze anymore. I'd grab a quick bite, then get back to my painting.

I'll admit, I put out some great paintings, but this schedule was not cut out for an old man like me. I really lost touch with my kids, and with Jeanna too for that matter.

It wasn't until Jeanna pulled me away from the easel and beside her on the bed , that I slowed down enough to think about what I was doing.

"Mikie, we need to talk."

"Ok, what about?"

"Mikie I'm lonely. The lonliest I've ever been since I can remember."

"Oh" there was a long silence as I looked at her. she was still smiling at me lovingly, which made my heart soften even more to what she was saying.

"Mikie, You've been spending so much time up here, painting and painting, and sleeping and painting. The whole family misses you. The kids need their father right now. They need to be more important than your art."

"I know Jeanna. you and the kids are important to me. I've just got this feeling that I won't be around forever, and I need to accomplish something great."

"Oh, Honey! Look around you! You've accomplished something more than great, you've accomplished something specatcular! We have 6 beautiful children who are such bright, good, intelligent kids. They are such a  blessing to everyone they meet! The've never given us any trouble, and they love us and each other genuinely and dearly. What painting or song composition could ever top that?"

Wow, hearing her speak this way of our children, caused something inside of me to shift. She was right, she was so right. Why did I care so much about making some amazing work of art before I passed on? I had made 6 masterpieces, each valuable and priceless in their own unique way.

"Jeanna, you are right, honey. I promise, from now on, I will focus on what blessings are in front of me. You and the kids are my treasures, the greatest lifetime wish one could have."

"Well I'm gald to hear you say that, honey, because the triplet's Young Adult birthday is tomorrow, along with our youngest's birthday to teenagers! A very, very big day for our family!"

Wow. My girls were all growing up and if Jeanna hadn't gotten my attention, I would have missed out!

The next morning, I watched my kids in amazement as they went about their routine of breakfast, finishing up homework, and other chores before school started. I hadn't been downstairs for a morning with my kids in so long, I didn't realize how busy it was in the kitchen!

Sure enough, that night, the girls all started their birthday transitions.

First up was Symphony! Happy Birthday Symphony!

As she changed into  Young Adult, she decided that she was Family Oriented like me. It was a special moment in my life as a father to see her taking charge of her own life, and deciding who she wanted to be.

Then....it was Sonata's turn! Happy birthday Sonata!

I had a feeling, this youngest child was going to be a handful. On top of becoming quite the Mooch and getting what she wanted out of people, she was now quite Dramatic. I just hoped all this drama would pay off someday!

And then came Melody's turn!

Happy Birthday Melody! She was so great at making friends, as she started her Young Adulthood, everyone could see how Charismatic she was. She was one gal everyone liked being around!

Followed by.....Aria! Happy Birthday Aria!

Aria started picking up on things that the rest of us didn't seem to notice, parts of people's personalities, etc. It was obvious to all of us she was definitely more Perceptive now that she was older.

And lastly....was Harmony!

She was already so smart, she discovered she had a natural gift for all things Handy. It was great knowing that whether she stayed here, or moved out on her own, she'd be able to take care of her own repairs!

I was so proud of all my kids, and now my house was no longer full of children, but ladies and a gentleman who were confidently growing into the people they were always meant to be.

Needless to say, as I drifted off to sleep that night, there was no part of my heart that didn't feel fulfilled. The painting across the room may have been halfway done, but my life? My life was complete. And I wanted nothing more that to watch my kids go out into the world and make a life for themselves, however long my days left here will be.

*buckey's notes*- Ok, ok, so I did it. I used Mikie's Lifetime Reward Points to change his LTW. Well, he is only a day or two away from 90 days old, and is still very far from completing the guitar skill, and still hasn't quite mastered painting. I was in a mad dash there for a while trying to complete it, and realized this wasn't going to happen. So, I used the Reward, and sure enough there was one that showed up that I knew he could complete, Raising 5 children! And with Aria and Sonata aging up, TA-DA! Lifetime Wish complete! My game won't end after all!!! I normally wouldn't change their LTW's so late in the game like that, but it was either change it, or FAIL and start over! 

So, this completes Generation 2, the next chapter will be Generation 3! Woohoo! Thanks for reading! :)