Seasons of Change

My son was married last weekend. My baby now has a wife. After a great weekend with my four grown kids (two are in-laws), I had a moment of reflection. My late twenties, the age my kids are now, has come and gone. I was sad, wistful and a bit jealous. They have their full lives ahead of them. I felt in that moment that a woman in her late 50’s had nothing to look forward to, which was depressing.

Along came my daughter talking about NaNoWriMo (National November Writing Month) and I decided that I would like to compete in November. She has been my mentor through this and I’m excited about something again. The month of October is for planning so that’s what I am doing. I’m coming up with new story ideas and I feel my creativity is coming back to me and it makes me happy, rather than depressed!

Everyone talks about their favorite season. Mine used to be spring. I loved seeing new leaves on the trees and plants bursting from the dark rich soil. I still do, but now I think all of the seasons are my favorite. Since beginning my gardening adventure last year, I’m excited to clean up the yard this fall for winter’s sleep. The colors in fall are so warm and welcoming. Winter time is the time for dreaming. I’m imagining new areas of my garden to plant and the fun adventures I will take in the spring and summer. Springtime, of course, is new birth and rebirth. Summer is the time for family and lakeside glasses of wine with great conversations.

Sometimes we can get stuck in nostalgia for the past, but if we give ourselves exciting projects to work on and new goals to achieve, it will help to lift your spirits and live each day in the moment. So I’m embracing this season of change and looking forward to the future.