Have you ever heard the expression, “the only thing constant is change?” Who knows this better than women? Do you ever feel like your life is constantly changing? About the time we get comfortable in a certain role or place in our lives, something happens to change it. Some of these changes are wonderful, some are less than desirable. We are constantly adjusting and adapting to change.
There have been some big changes in my life lately. A neighbor with whom I met fairly regularly for tea died very unexpectedly. She was a bit older than me, a very classy lady, and someone that I always felt like was “in my corner.” In fact, she was a regular reader and big supporter of this blog. While we were not real close, we were good friends and neighbors for many years, and I find myself missing her tremendously. As a result of her death, her husband sold their home and has moved. The house sits empty, and I feel empty when I walk by. “Who will move in next?” I wonder. Will we get along? Will there be the same neighborliness that I have enjoy over the past 15 years?
In the last several years since my girls have left home and I have left the work force, I find myself wondering where my place is and how to best use my time. Oh, I never really run out of things to do, but the tension between being busy with non essentials and being busy making a difference and being a person of influence constantly challenges me. Can any one relate?
And does anyone else out there struggle with how to parent adult kids? Especially those of you who have daughters? It seemed so much simpler when they were younger. I have four very strong, very independent, very wonderful grown daughters, but I am continually trying to figure out what to say or not to say, what to do or not do, how to be in their life but not be in their life—know what I mean?
Who among us does not struggle from time to time with the fact that our life looks differently than we thought it would? If you are like me, in your mind, A + B would equal C. When it doesn't, we are often thrown for a loop. This is where I have had to learn to relinquish my idea of how I thought it would be to my God who has a very different but much better plan for my life. I am learning to trust that His ideas for me are far superior in the end, though sometimes the process of getting there is painful.
The first part of this year brought a very significant and wonderful change to my life, and I will never be the same for it! My second daughter, Erin, gave birth to twin baby girls, making me a grandma for the first time. People kept telling me how great it was to be a grandma. No Kidding!!!! As little as they are, they have completely gotten under my skin, and I am so in love all over again. What is it about these little ones that becomes so all consuming? I find myself carrying their pictures with me everywhere and bringing them into every conversation. Will somebody please tell me this is normal? I am loving this new role in my life. I am so blessed to have become the grandma to two babies at once.
Because Erin got sick with a condition called H.E.L.L.P.S. Syndrome, the babies were delivered 7 weeks early by emergency C section. They were in the NICU for almost a month, being born at 3 and 4 pounds, but have done remarkably well over the past couple of months, and are now at 7 and 9 pounds. Madisyn Blair and Kathryn Naomi have turned my world upside down! And since no proper grandma would turn down this opportunity to show them off with pictures—here they are!
There have been some big changes in my life lately. A neighbor with whom I met fairly regularly for tea died very unexpectedly. She was a bit older than me, a very classy lady, and someone that I always felt like was “in my corner.” In fact, she was a regular reader and big supporter of this blog. While we were not real close, we were good friends and neighbors for many years, and I find myself missing her tremendously. As a result of her death, her husband sold their home and has moved. The house sits empty, and I feel empty when I walk by. “Who will move in next?” I wonder. Will we get along? Will there be the same neighborliness that I have enjoy over the past 15 years?
In the last several years since my girls have left home and I have left the work force, I find myself wondering where my place is and how to best use my time. Oh, I never really run out of things to do, but the tension between being busy with non essentials and being busy making a difference and being a person of influence constantly challenges me. Can any one relate?
And does anyone else out there struggle with how to parent adult kids? Especially those of you who have daughters? It seemed so much simpler when they were younger. I have four very strong, very independent, very wonderful grown daughters, but I am continually trying to figure out what to say or not to say, what to do or not do, how to be in their life but not be in their life—know what I mean?
Who among us does not struggle from time to time with the fact that our life looks differently than we thought it would? If you are like me, in your mind, A + B would equal C. When it doesn't, we are often thrown for a loop. This is where I have had to learn to relinquish my idea of how I thought it would be to my God who has a very different but much better plan for my life. I am learning to trust that His ideas for me are far superior in the end, though sometimes the process of getting there is painful.
The first part of this year brought a very significant and wonderful change to my life, and I will never be the same for it! My second daughter, Erin, gave birth to twin baby girls, making me a grandma for the first time. People kept telling me how great it was to be a grandma. No Kidding!!!! As little as they are, they have completely gotten under my skin, and I am so in love all over again. What is it about these little ones that becomes so all consuming? I find myself carrying their pictures with me everywhere and bringing them into every conversation. Will somebody please tell me this is normal? I am loving this new role in my life. I am so blessed to have become the grandma to two babies at once.
Because Erin got sick with a condition called H.E.L.L.P.S. Syndrome, the babies were delivered 7 weeks early by emergency C section. They were in the NICU for almost a month, being born at 3 and 4 pounds, but have done remarkably well over the past couple of months, and are now at 7 and 9 pounds. Madisyn Blair and Kathryn Naomi have turned my world upside down! And since no proper grandma would turn down this opportunity to show them off with pictures—here they are!
As I bring this entry to a close, I would encourage you today to embrace the changes in your life. Change brings new perspective to us. It causes us to look at things differently. It grows us, shapes us and makes better people out of us. Know that you are not alone in your times of change. God is there with you ready to walk you through it. Turn to Him, trust Him, and thank Him. You can count on the fact that while change is all around us, His love for us never changes. It is unfailing, unending, and unfathomable.
Please feel free to share the changes with which you are currently dealing.
Please feel free to share the changes with which you are currently dealing.
RomaLee
Thank you for sharing your heart. I certainly can relate, as usual. Life is full of changes, just have to keep flexible. It's also full of the unknown. We just have tokeep looking up and take one day at a time, praying from start to finish, not worrying about tomorrow. Love you. Leaving 4 Blgs this Thurs, until June 12, then heading to Hungry Horse til early Sept. Hope we can connect.
ReplyDeleteRomaLee,
ReplyDeleteThank you for a very well thought CHALLENGING article on change.
God bless you and Blair and your family.
Love you
Uncle Roger