Journal, Day 22

The holiday of selective independence was both chaotic and peaceful. The younger children maintained their manners at the benefactor’s place of employment, but managed to take over the small work space, gradually spreading their molded building blocks across the floor in tableaus and inventive creations. Other than one episode where  they bickered over choosing what to watch on the media box that erupted into tears, they otherwise displayed the good sense the benefactor has tried to impart.
 
Interacting with the elder children was a different tale. The elder male reached out to the benefactor for funding, but grew irate and confrontational when she offered to parcel out his capital over a designated period of time, and ended their conversation with cross statements. The benefactor was having none of his outrage. They have no spoken since. Similar, the elder female became vexed when the benefactor could not act as her chauffeur and whisk her away for a holiday celebration. Unlike her twin, after her initial disappointment, the elder female made different plans and found a new celebration to attend without relying on the benefactor. She did however, arrive home much later than anticipated, and was appropriately chastised.
 
Whence arriving home, the benefactor finally received forty minutes of bliss lounging in the outdoor hammock, despite three interruptions regarding sustenance. The elder female assisted by providing nourishment to the younger ones. To beat the dog day sun, the benefactor took the younger children to a delightful moving picture show about talking cars. It was refreshing and jolly fun.
 
Today, the benefactor regains her sense of peaceful space, although it feels empty and silent without the laughter and play of the youngest. 'Tis the bittersweet nature of both loving others, and finding solitude necessary to life.