ohbloodyhell8

Long ago, in the time of John Hughes’ movies, a friend of mine had the coolest family room in his house.  It was simply called the pit.  It had a television and a never-ending couch.  Literally, it was like a big square couch that filled one entire end of the room.  It was a place to hang out. It was a room away from the kitchen, where his parents usually were hanging out so the “grown-ups” weren’t hanging on every word, but you also knew they could walk in at any minute.

I didn’t spend a ton of time in the pit, but enough time that it never quite left my memory.  I always thought it would be cool to give my sons a similar space so that they could hang out without us hanging on every word.  A space for playing their video games or watching Netflix without me telling them to “turn it down”.  We have a family room type space downstairs that has really been in limbo wondering what it’s true purpose would be.  We now know.  It’s the 21st century Pit, which the boys have dubbed “The Cave”.

Now, we’re blessed that our sons are happy with the simple things in life.  We have primarily hand-me-down furniture in our home.  Which is fine by me.  I don’t have to cry when they spill something on it-it came pre-loved.  So far in the cave are these storage cabinets from Hubby’s childhood room, an entertainment center from our neighbor’s, a televisions from the same neighbors, and one of those benches with the cubbies in the bottom to store gaming stuff.  Powering the fun is the Xbox 360-gateway to games and Netflix.  Well, they boys are happy with simple things, but have been asking if they could get somewhere better to sit.

Those fantastic neighbors, who are better than we probably deserve, texted me tonight and asked if we could find a purpose for their old couch from their family room.  Boys, I’ve got you some awesome seats now.  The Pit…sorry, The Cave is truly taking shape.  Even without me having replaced the floors yet.

The Cave is a wonderful thing.  It’s helping the boys transition from their older boys to young men phase of life.  There are a ton of toys down there in bins, but they are ready to let them go knowing it will pave the way for The Cave.  I don’t want them to grow up too fast, but it is inevitable.  If we can make it as safe and fun as possible, they’ll appreciate it one day.  And with great friends furnishing their teen years (which are right around the corner), they’ll start finding their way.

In 1985 I saw The Breakfast Club and it shaped the rest of my life.  I always related best to the character that Ally Sheedy played, those who knew me in high school will understand why.  Anyway, Allison has one of the greatest lines ever.  “It’s inevitable.  When you grow up, your heart just dies.  Bender says “who cares” and Allison responds “I care.”  I have made sure that I never fully grew up so my heart wouldn’t die.  And I want that for my sons.  The Cave will help keep them young.