New horizons around the corner

We are jumping into May, and I am asking myself where April has gone?  As I get older, I seem to question time frames more and more. Where did all the years go when our family planned Easter egg hunts, dyeing eggs, and making Spring crafts? Certain traditions remained sacred all through the years as our kids grew.  I am also reminded of the times we wrestled our four sons into dressy Easter fashions that turned out to be a tug-of-war early on Easter morning before church.  That was fun! NOT!  We have old video tapes to prove the craziness.

The month of May brings birthdays, end of the year school concerts and sports, award ceremonies, field trips, and graduations of all sorts. This is the first May in many years that we are not celebrating in any of those familiar ways.  Our sons are grown and out into the world working and/or in grad school.  Once again, Michael and I look at each other and ask, "Where has the time gone?"  Last year was our big family trip to Texas for Patrick's college graduation from UT Austin which was quite an eventful adventure! It was joyful yet a tad bittersweet for good ole' mom and dad.

So for fun we thought we might just start making new memories for the two of us.  My sweet hubby will be retiring from his long career from Pfizer.  The end of May Michael will walk out of his research building for the last time in 28 years.   As the day grows closer, it all seems surreal.

After much prayer and discernment, we felt the Lord was guiding us to make this decision now.  Timing seemed to be just right.

For the past eight years I have barely lived life off the couch because of chronic migraine.  Now that my treatment plan helps me manage and function somewhat better overall, we are eager to set out upon some exciting adventures.  We have people to see, places to go, and new horizons to explore.

"Exciting" may look very different for us than other thrill seekers in their retirement, but we will do what is best for us.  We certainly have some plans up our sleeves and are looking forward to getting started. God has strengthened us by His grace over these past difficult years. We are once again feeling full of hope stepping out and marching forward with confidence instead of feeling pulled back by fear.

Friends and acquaintances immediately question Michael what he will "do" in retirement.  He is too young to retire apparently.  LOL.  Our society is focused on an individual's worth by what someone "does." People are defined by their professions (or the company ID badge they were around their neck).   I guess people think that if Michael doesn't have his job to walk into daily anymore than how on earth will he fill in the hours of his day?  Listen, we have enough house projects that need tending since many have been put aside for years---and he won't need an ID badge to do it!  His "honey to do" list is growing longer by the day.  On the rainy days inside, there will be no lack of doing; that is for sure.

We might not scale Mt Everest or jump out of planes or zip line in a remote jungle somewhere, but we are looking forward to much more walking and kayaking to keep ourselves moving and enjoying nature.  Having the opportunity to embrace spontaneity on days when I feel up to it will be a dream.   Michael needs time to exhale and give his body, mind, and spirit space to breathe.

We hope to be intentional about making time for intimate gatherings with family and friends around our table for conversation and connection.  This is important to us. Opening our hearts and home is how we feel blessed and, in turn, how we can bless others.  Please come visit us!  We would be honored!

New horizons and adventures are just around our corner...

Maundy Thursday

"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should also do just as I have done to you."
                 John 13:14-15

I was humbled last evening at our Maundy Thursday service to have my foot washed.  The choir softly sang while twelve of us participated in the foot washing.  I found myself moved to tears.  It is a gentle reminder to go and serve others' needs as best I can.  As Jesus did, I wish to do also. 

 Today is Good Friday. 
 Today I follow Jesus in his Passion.
 Today I mourn at the tomb.
 Today I will enter into silence, prayer, and reflection with a heavy heart 
 knowing that Jesus brutally suffered and died for all my sins.
 Today I know that by His wounds, I am healed.
 Today I also know that by His unending mercy and grace, I am saved.

                                                 

Spring Awakening

April has arrived, and I come more alive with its presence.  The rhythm and flow of the seasons of the year mark the beautiful life cycle that happens over and over again.  God in his omnipotence creates all things into being and does so in very mysterious ways.  I am in awe of His handiwork and pray I never take any of it for granted, and I do my best to live in gratitude for all of His blessings.

After hibernating for the long Winter months, (I feel like a bear sometimes) I start looking for all the signs of Spring which nature emanates so delicately.  Depending upon where one lives, Spring awakening happens at different times and in different ways in order to be noticed.

Since I live in New England, I admit I get a "tad" bit impatient for warmer days with less harsh chills and winds.  One day I bundle up in my winter coat, hat, scarf, and gloves while other days I can don just a sweater perhaps.  It is the crazy, unsettled ups and downs that I try and prepare myself for each year.

The fun part is to closely examine nature right around my house and find sweet surprises of buds popping up from the dark earth where they have been growing silently for months.

            "For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.  The flowers
             appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the
             turtledove is heard in our land."   
                                                               Song of Solomon 2:11-12



No matter our messy and often confusing circumstances, Spring brings refreshing perspectives filled with hope and courage to take the next steps in moving forward.  If flowers and trees can blossom beautifully in the mud and thick debris of Winter, then we can do so as well.

Let us participate actively in our own Spring awakening and see how our rebirth unfolds.  Our personal stories matter.   Always.  Maybe it is time to share some of our stories to offer hope and compassion to others. 

Happy Spring!