I don't know if you've noticed, but on my blog and Instagram "About Me" I say, "Homeschooling mom for 28 years" as the main thing that defines me. I'm very proud of that fact and always will be, but I don't want it to define me anymore. I'm ready to move on to the next stage of life, whatever that may turn out to be. Do we ever really know until it's over?
I know some things I want to try to be; a mom who's always there to listen or help, a grandmother who spends time and listens to her grandchildren, a wife who is a companion and helper to her husband, a homemaker who keeps a clean, happy home for all who visit or live there, a friend who is available, and a woman concerned with the larger world and doing what she can to alleviate suffering and advance Christ's kingdom throughout the world. A tall order to be sure!
I also want to write, paint, and capture beauty with my camera. I want to travel and see new things. I want to be happy and passionate about life.
I've known so many people that, as they get older, just sit around and don't do much of anything. They seem content enough, but I want more. I hope I'm never satisfied with just sitting around unless I'm unable to do anything else. Then I hope I accept it with grace and serenity.
For the rest of my allotted days, I want to run (or walk) and laugh and hold my breath in awe over a sunset. I want to wake up in anticipation of what the new day will bring. I want to fully live and have no regrets over a life less lived than it could have been.
So, I guess it's time to change my "About Me" paragraph to reflect my current life and to let go of what I've accomplished in the past, not that those years will ever be forgotten. How could they when they encompassed half of my life?
7 comments:
"I'm ready to move on to the next stage of life" -- yes! I know what you mean. It's so healthy to realize and accept that we do have stages of life, and to transition gracefully between them. Good for you! Homeschooling is a huge, long commitment, but there is life afterward ;)
M.K., I think the key to not getting stuck in one stage is to have other interests and to be excited about life. And thankfulness for all; past, present, and future.
This is a good post, Debbie, and something my homeschooling friends and I have been talking about for a while now. One friend told me after her last child graduated she went into a depression because she no longer had that homeschool community connection. So one of the things I've been trying to do is to widen my community and to cultivate new friends and ministry opportunities. This may be one reason I'm really enjoying the letters of F.O'Conner. She has a passion she is pursuing. I just need to figure that out for myself.
I really like your picture, too. Blessings!
Sucj a thirst- how exciting! I hope you'll find, I know you'll find many wonderful things to let you drink deep of life!
I love your list of the things you want to be. Such wonderful things to aspire to. I know what you mean about people who don't do much of anything as they get older. I have a whole list of things I want to do or keep doing. Life is to be lived fully. I also worry about the things I might regret not doing--time to revisit that list!
xofrances
Congratulations... on your graduation and enjoy the next opportunities!
Hi Debbie! I read this post, but I must have meant to come back and leave a comment.
I remember when my grannies seemed so old and safe. I don't think people worshiped youth quite so much back then. Every day is an adventure, right? Some days the pace is a bit slower and I like that.
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