Skip to main content

Seasons of Change

I tend to use this title a lot, Seasons of Change. I mean, I haven't scrolled back to look, but it feels like I either use this title every year in one of my blog posts, or want to use this title with each post I write. Either way, here it is again.

It's only July 1st, but I'm sitting at my computer trying to go back through the last four weeks, and they have been some of the most transitional "seasons of change," yet. This last May was by far the busiest May I can recall. There was virtually no down time for weeks ... and it's fine now. But for all you parents of soon-to-be Senior High School students, who work and run a house, best of luck.

You will lose your sanity. You will lose patience. And you will look back and wonder how you made it through.

Well, here's a glimpse of the last four weeks in my world.

For starters, I had a story of mine published and that was a great way to begin the summer. It's via Guideposts, the story is true, and I'm humbled to be a part of it. Click here to learn more! 

Miracles Do Happen


Then my son, my sweet child of mine who is now a man, graduated high school. It doesn't seem possible, and yet as I reminisce over all the events, all the sports, all the driving to and picking up from school, it is possible. Very possible.

He was a summa cum laude student athlete, and I couldn't be more proud.

Then there's the cruise to Alaska! My whole extended family went on a cruise to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. It was beautiful, the weather was amazing, and it's an experience we will never forget.



I also learn whilst there that my son knows how to slam dunk. Random. But awesome.

So, we're getting into the swing of summer back home now, we're eating way too much ice cream, but I feel like this is a must. My oldest now has his first job, so it's as if he's moved on -- on from high school and into a job -- but I haven't. It's a tad frightening. And I'm glad I have another five years to raise my youngest son.

But, it feels a lot like being fired from a job that I liked and wanted to keep. It's very uncomfortable. And maybe even demoralizing.

And this is motherhood.

So, instead, I'm focusing on what I have:

 1. My son is still at home while he goes to college this fall. That's a big win. It's more time than most parents get to have. I'll take it.

2. My youngest son still needs me for now. Enough said.

3. My dog, my sweet, amazing pup, always needs me, now, today and right this second. She's my third child.

4. I get to do more for myself, like tending to my garden, and looking at beautiful flowers, and more writing and reading, and vintage shopping.

I picked up this sign the other day at my favorite thrift store. I thought I liked it mostly because I deal with antique and vintage clothing.


But this sign points into the master bedroom, and I wonder if it's in fact denoting the idea that I am actually the antique?

If so, that's alright. I'm feeling like an antique and living a very full life. And it really doesn't get better than this. Change is good, transitions are better. It grows us, gives us new things to do, and more people to love.

Have a blessed summer, everyone. And may your seasons of change be amazing.

-HJS

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Characters That Work

I’ve heard countless times that agents, when looking for the next great manuscript and readers, looking for the next great read, want compelling characters. But, what does this mean? Compelling? And why have I never thought of characters as compelling when I can’t put the book down? Sure, these characters are amazing, and sometimes I want to be in the middle of the stories as if they were my own experiences. But why? Compelling characters make me --force me-- to be in love with them as they find their way through trials or charge fearlessly down hidden hallways and dark forests. This makes for wonderful literature, and for fascinated readers. But how do we do this? How do authors create compelling characters -- ones that not only we want to read but others too -- and convince our readers that they should care about them? Here’s a tiny list by which I try to strive: Make them human: This is a given. And most writers would tell you this is. Give your character flaws that lots o

Increasing Your Vocabulary │ Overused Words

My husband and I have this running joke that if we played a drinking game for the first -- and only the first-- five minutes of any news segment, anywhere in America, we'd be under the table in two. Why? Because this drinking game is based on the repeated use of the word "impact." It's okay if you can hate me now. Because after this post, you will notice this word EVERYWHERE and how overused it is. I get it. The word is impactful. It makes a point. Pulls a punch. But ... it's beyond this, my friends. It's overwhelmingly beyond this now. I also understand that each decade has it's colloquial and trendy words. Totally understand that. I can dig that, yo. But, there's an all-out assault on this word. And most of the time, it's used incorrectly. Do you know what the word impact means? Per Merriam-Webster, it means 1.   a.: to fix firmly by or as if my packing or wedging   b.: to press together 2.   a.: to have a direct effect or i

Make a List │ Getting Things Done

Like many of you, I am a list-maker. I find them to be one of the most rewarding things I can do in my little life. Well, that and drinking coffee and wearing vintage. But, I digress. List-making really only consists of three things: paper, a pen, and your brain. While there are myriad articles and books on tidying up and minimal living (both of which I fully embrace), living a simple and minimal life can also start just by making a list. So, why should you write a list? Three reasons: it's simple, it's in front of you, and anyone can be master of their world with one. Yes, dare I say master of your universe. Pretty amazing, right? That little list holds your sanity, order and clarity. And those are all we really need. Check out this list I wrote the other day: I listed the errands I had to run (go to post office, then to Salvation Army and Goodwill to find my vintage to sell). I listed the work I had to do (list two items items for sale on my vintage Etsy site,