This year has started out with a bang. My daughter turned 16 in January, and after I offered all kinds of party suggestions, she finally settled on the one she wanted, a roller skating party. She absolutely loved it. Every single one of her invited guests showed up, which made it even more special. Seeing her surrounded by her friends, laughing and enjoying herself, was one of those moments I just wanted to hold onto a little longer.
And our February...My grandson, the first boy born into the family in 26 years, was born at the end of February. I am so in love with my grandbabies. Little bit is so snuggly and lovable and his big sister is 3 years old, so independent, smart and loving.
On March 8th, I stepped into the Kids Ministry Coordinator role at our church. This has been a huge blessing and so rewarding already. Being part of and pouring into a child’s spiritual journey is amazing and humbling at the same time. I love engaging with their parents and our volunteers as well.
And our April...Easter was especially meaningful this year. We had two baptisms, and one of them was a child my husband and I have taught for a couple of years at church. Seeing that moment come full circle was something I won’t ever forget. It was such a reminder of why this calling matters so much. We also had an Easter celebration at my mom's and it was so sweet watching our grandchildren and great neice hunting for eggs. Little Bitty didn't get to hunt his own yet, but he got an Easter basket with the rest of them. At the end of this month, my husband and I will celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary and get to take a moment for ourselves, reminiscing and creating new memories. He has been working hard to plan an intimate renewal ceremony for just the two of us. We renewed our vows on our 5th anniversary and plan to do so every five years. This is an important and sweet thing that we chose to do in our marriage from the beginning. We are looking forward to this time for us.
I’m at a place in my marriage where I feel completely comfortable, not waiting for the other shoe to drop. Knowing this is such a healthy marriage has allowed me to focus more on myself and my self-care, and I appreciate this so much. I definitely don’t take it for granted. I know what a huge blessing this is. Having a supportive and active partner, someone who shows up in our family, in our relationship, and in our church, means so much.
I have been finding my independence again through self-care because of this healthy balance. This may sound weird to some, being 10 years in and just now feeling this, but it takes time to get here when you’ve been in relationships that caused turmoil and angst. Some of the ways I have chosen to do self care is to better myself through school.I am in my senior year in college with six classes left to graduate, majoring in Psychology. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not a train. Another way is by getting together with my girlfriends every once in a while and going to the gym. I'm on a mission to widdle my middle and be the healthiest version of myself.
The idea for this part of my blog came to me as I’m sitting at a restaurant outside, eating a Greek salad with salmon, feeling the breeze in my hair and the calmest I have felt in a long time. It’s not because things aren’t busy, they are, but it’s how I’ve intentionally slowed down this year and put things into perspective. Not everything is a fire that needs to be put out right away. And my husband allowing me to be me, and to take care of not only the family but also myself, has helped me move out of that constant fight-or-flight feeling.
Did I mention how blessed and appreciative I am?
Next month, on May 14th, my daughter will be graduating from community college, one I graduated from 12 years ago, about 20 years later than I had expected, but right on His time. We will then celebrate her 20th birthday in June, followed by a July birthday celebration for my husband. In August we will celebrate my birthday and soon after, my second daughter will fly the coop and head off to college to finish her undergrad studies, and start a life with her fiancé in their first apartment.
Life keeps moving, and for the first time in a long time, I’m not trying to catch up to it. I’m just here, taking it all in, cherishing all that I can, and finally at peace in the middle of it.
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