As I sat watching my grandson graduate from preschool this spring, I could not help but reflect on those milestones with my own children many years ago. I watched the tears in my daughter-in-law’s eyes as she gazed with pride and joy at her son in his cap and gown. I also saw glimpses of sadness in her eyes at at the realization that time passes too quickly.
The next week I sat in our high school graduation and experienced these emotions all over again. Having taught many of those students throughout middle school, I found myself feeling that same sense of joy and sadness overwhelm me. For you see, from preschool to adulthood happens in the blink of an eye. As a parent, a grandparent, and a teacher, I have spent many years watching these milestones come and go. I can honestly say that it never gets easier for me. My children (including my students) have always taught me as much, if not more, than I have ever taught them. If I could offer any advice to anyone reading this, it is to never stop learning. Never stop observing. Never stop listening. Children are gifts. Don’t rush them to grow up, and whatever you do, don’t blink!
Each of our lives is a book filled with blank pages. God gives us the gift of life, and we choose what fills the pages. Turning pages is exciting for children who are often impatient as they await Christmas, summer break, the Tooth Fairy, a new puppy, and a myriad of other times of anticipation in their lives. Turning pages for adults is sometimes less exciting as we watch time pass before our eyes and beg it to slow down. Sometimes we are slow to fill our pages out of fear of what lies on the next page. Sometimes we rush through the book and turn the pages too quickly before absorbing the page we are currently writing. Sometimes our book ends too soon and there are many pages left blank that should have been filled to the brim with life. Those are tough times to endure. In each of these circumstances we still need to learn, observe, and listen. There are lessons to be learned on each page.
Within our book there are chapters. Some new chapters are exciting, some are boring, and some are painful. I have often hesitated to start a new chapter, and I have spent a lot of time going back and re-reading the previous ones. I often get lost in the chapters of being a mom to my children. I especially feel this when I look at my grandchildren!
Six years ago I began a new chapter when I married Ron. We moved into a house and made a home here. Our families blended and suddenly expanded – A LOT! Six years have passed, and we have nine beautiful grandchildren, and all of our kids have found their spouses and are filling up their books with their own words, no longer depending on us to help write the words for them. So much has happened since we built our home together six years ago. We have gained family, but we have lost some along the journey. Though I did not know him long enough, I adored my father-in-law. He was gentle, always kind to me, and one of the funniest people I ever knew. He died last year, and that was a tough chapter. Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” While it may take many nights of weeping, joy will come again.
Ron and I made a decision several months ago to build a house and begin yet another chapter. It has been exciting, yet so very bittersweet. Each time I pack a box, I find memories. I end up sitting in those feelings which then takes longer to get the box packed (I can visually see my husband rolling his eyes now LOL). We will no doubt make many more memories in our new home, but leaving this home still hurts. Yes, I do get attached too much. No, I will not apologize for it. However, I look forward to starting a new chapter in a new home, and I plan to fill it with family and friends. Now I must return to packing boxes!
I pray that each of you will find the joy in turning every page in your book.
Tribe of Hope 