Parenting 231 Dog Years
I've been on this parenting journey for 33 years. Seeing that typed out feels even more shockingly true!
That's the equivalent of 231 dog years! There were so many days when I was plain dog tired! So many days I thought would never end. Would I survive? My greatest desire was to just get in a good nap or just orchestrate 5 minutes of precious peace. I bet you can relate. I blinked. There stood before me my 3 sons who would tower over me by 3 heads and 3 sets of shoulders. Those years lived up to the prediction of flying by ever so fast.
How can this be? I have arrived at this stage of life called "the empty nest." It once seemed so far into the future but now I've landed smack dab in the middle of it. What was once outside my grasp is now well within my reach. Empty nesting is now a part of my day-to-day reality. You might find this surprising but I've found it to be refreshingly rewarding and largely enjoyable.
We all come to this stage of life with different emotions and reflections and that's ok. If we were gut-level honest - as I want to be - we would arrive here with a handful of regrets but hopefully a heaping-handful of triumphs to celebrate as well. There is nothing wrong with a pat on the back or a job well done even if we are the one giving it to ourself!
These are the glory years. These are the years where we get to finally see the fruit of our labor. We get to now reap what we have sown.
Those kids were the twinkle in our eye and were raised in a blink of an eye. Now our eyes must discover a new focus. Even if our eyes need correction and see a little less clearly than in our youth, we can find a new vision. This stage of life has the potential to be the best stage...truly!
So many options...so many opportunities when you have so fewer responsibilities with so fewer people depending on you. Now that deserves a sigh of relief and a HIP HIP HOORAY!
I want us to learn some things together to make the most of this new stage of life. I do believe the best is yet to be discovered and experienced. We will find the better together!
Hang On. It's gonna be a ride of a lifetime if we can sit back and enjoy the flight!
Where did those years go?
They flew by so fast.
I must look ahead
and not live in the past.
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I welcome any comments and feedback as we walk this road together! Be sure to scroll down to find the option to leave your name! I appreciate each of you!!
ReplyDeleteGlory days!! I like that! Yes, I reached this season in a blink. Now, the joy is watching them grow and raise our precious grand children and asking the Lord to continue guiding me one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteWell, missed the scroll down. Angela, I wrote the comment above-Laura Hayes. Love your writing!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU DEAR Laura!! I APPRECIATE your friendship & support!!
DeleteI so agree on all the possibilities! Something to actually look forward to. Buying an Airstream and going places with my husband and our dog is something we have dreamed about for many years. Thank you so much for your blog Angela.
ReplyDeleteSO Many good times are ahead of you Ginger and ahead for all the rest of us too!
DeleteHey Angela, it's you good friend Joanne. I love your writing and how open and honest you are about the season in your life. I am now in this season. I didn't think it would affect me in the way it has so far. I'm at the start of my "empty nest". The house is downsized, yet I still have all the memories and "stuff" in storage units as if one day I will go back and relive all the good memories. My children are grown, yet not married and trying to figure their lives out. With the occasional call (usually when they need something or there's a problem). I've had many titles in my 50+ years: daughter, sister, wife, mom, PTA chair person, Girl Scout Leader, and my career title Pharmacist. But now, I find myself in a very odd place...an empty nester. Like you said, all those years of hustle, bustle, deadlines, commitments, after school activities wishing there would be a break. And saying, "oh, I'll get around to doing that when the kids are grown." Now, I have the time that I wished I had back then. So why isn't it enough? What's the purpose?
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for your candid response, my good friend Joanne! We are in this together!.
DeleteMay we be a genuine support to each other and that my blog will be an encouragement too!! THANK YOU for subscribing...It means a lot!!!
ReplyDeleteEmpty nesting is a time of reflection and I love how your words draw out emotions.