It’s Interesting How Life Changes
As I sit here I can imagine my kids running around playing with each other.
Like in this hollow kitchen where running and laughter echoed the sounds of endless chaos.
The laughter and joy of being together were so rewarding.
That in that chaos was life and beauty that I now treasure within my heart.
I had the privilege of homeschooling our youngest two children.
They grew so attached and would sit together listening as I read from living books on history, science, and literature on various subjects.
The Charlotte Mason way.
Right here on this sofa, they would poke each other, and put their legs on top of each other.
And I didn’t care.
Cause it was in those moments, that I knew I was cultivating a bond that would last a lifetime.
When our daughter, Brooke, graduated from homeschool, it was just my son and me.
We continued going on adventure walks, exploring the plants and wildlife as part of our curriculum.
It was a magical moment, having those years with my son.
We, too, bonded. We all did. And I know we are forever connected. Because we learned together.
I was learning all the things they were, right along with them.
But now, I sit here in the quiet.
My kids are grown. Our son graduated and went to college.
He still lives at home, and I relish every moment we have together.
It’s not the same.
I know that part of helping our children grow is to let them go.
This is probably the hardest part as a parent, is investing so much of ourselves to teach and bring up these amazing children, only to have them leave home and pave their own life.
As much as I love and admire the achievements of my children, as they’ve left the nest, I still miss them.
If you’re in the same phase of life as I am, you get it.
It makes every moment I have in my life more meaningful.
To capture events and important occasions when they arise and just love on the ones that mean the most.
I wrote another blog post, here, about my Aunt Mary who just passed away on July 1st.
21 days ago, as I write this.
One moment we were messaging each other, then the next I hear she died.
How does life change so?
But it does.
And in these changes, we can choose to embrace them and go with the flow of life’s ups and downs.
Giving ourselves the grace to grieve. Cause it is hard on some of us.
I don’t like to show my emotions but I have them deeply.
Recent YouTube video sharing my heart.
And sharing how I feel, seems to make it better.
My daughters have liked hearing how much I miss them.
They like to know how much I care and love them.
And it’s ok to feel sorrow for my Aunt.
I guess I’m encouraging you along with encouraging myself.
That as life changes, it’s ok to recognize the pain and sorrow.
It’s a season that will pass.
And in letting the tears flow and letting the grief embrace us, we can overcome and know we loved well.
That we gave our all.
And that is what matters.
I know my children are who they are because I put all of myself into them.
And I know my Aunt Mary knew I loved her because I shared midnight conversations via Facebook messaging to just chat about important things we are passionate about.
And in that, I am a better person.
Having loved well and lived loving with my heart and soul.
That was my joy and it still is my joy.
To be a part of my grown children’s life. Continuing to love them.
And as my aunts and uncles go through getting older, I know that I have many memories that we share of time together.
What matters in life isn’t things.
It’s the people we have around us.
Looking them in the eyes and spending cherished moments is what it’s all about.
I hope this was an encouragement to you.
It felt good, just to share a little bit of what’s in my heart today.
We don’t know where tomorrow will lead.
But we can make the most of today, and grab on to what we have with the ones we love.
Thank you for coming by and reading a bit about what is on my heart.
If you haven’t already, you can find out many tips and tricks on how to decorate your home with vintage style, here.
And if you’re wanting some inspiration, you can find some DIY projects, here.
Have an amazing week, friend.
Until next time.
Bye for now.