It has seemed as if it was a lifetime ago since I last blogged. In many ways, it was. I have always believed that life is far simpler when we embrace the season we are in, rather than fighting against it. That's what I have been endeavoring to do by stepping back. During my absence, my family and I have experienced several painful and personal battles. Some days, I wondered if we would ever make it through to life as it once was. I can honestly say that we did not. That's the thing: life rarely ever reverts back to the way it was before. As my mother told me, "You find your new normal" and that is exactly what we did. It has been a very long road. We struggled through together, and together we have created another chapter.
When I began this blog, I was a stay at home mother that was homeschooling my two children. Now, my eldest is about to start working towards a bachelor's degree in history. My youngest has just completed high school, and she is about begin college. I am officially out of job. Where did the time go? It truly seems as if it was just the other day when we were sitting around the kitchen table doing crafts. Now my collection of paper plate art and stash of science projects are a distant memory to my kiddos. Am I sad? Yes. Of course, I am sad. I am also proud, excited, and ready for what is next to unfold. I know my girls have many adventures ahead of them, and I want nothing more than for them to seize every opportunity.
My husband and I married young. As with many young couples, we didn't possess much education or skill. We both were armed with only high school diplomas, optimism, and dreams. Recently, we both returned to school. I earned an Associate's Degree of Science in Business. My husband trained to become an EMT. He later became a Paramedic. Then, he earned an Applied Associate's Degree of Science in Paramedics. After this fall's term, he will have earned a bachelor's degree. And yes, I am very proud of him. I plan to return to school next spring. There are definitely changes on the horizon.
My advice regarding the painful seasons in life? Allow yourself (and your family) time to heal. Give yourself permission to grieve. Also, don't place any limitations or timelines on how you heal. Just take it one day at a time. It's also important to note that the healing process doesn't always follow a linear progression. Often, it truly is, "two steps forward and one step back". It can be slow. Don't focus on that. Focus on the fact that progress IS being made - even if you can't see or feel it. Most importantly: remember that no matter how dark your life may feel, the sun will return. It does get better.
Welcome to the next season, the next chapter in my life.
