Logging onto WordPress this morning, I noticed it was November of 2016 when I wrote my last blog. This correlates directly to the time I began writing my daily thankful posts, so it’s no surprise I haven’t felt the need to blog since then. Today, however, is different. It’s a day of transitions, and I need to let the words flow…

As I wrote in my daily Facebook post this morning, Josh moved in with my Mom yesterday. Today is our first day as “empty nesters.” Some long for the days when their children are grown and move out on their own. We are not of that ilk. Rather, we cherished our time with our boys. Obviously, there were days I could have pulled my hair out. But our children are the best thing we’ve done in this life. We poured our hearts and souls into raising them to know God and love people. And now that the time has come for them to move on with their lives, it’s bittersweet. We are thrilled they are able to stand on their own, but we miss the days when we could hold and cuddle them, the days when they needed us. Instead, we get brief hugs and sometimes long phone calls. And we smile through our tears when we realize they are, indeed, adults. Just as it should be. Just as God intended.

Another terrible, yet blessed, transition will take place this afternoon. Mom and I will be attending the memorial service for a dear friend’s husband. The two of us have been friends since our boys were small, sharing meals when our husbands were working long hours and commiserating over the joys (and woes) of parenting boys. Her husband had been ill for some time and her care of him was staunch and protective. He has been released from his suffering and has celebrated his “heavenly birthday,” but we are here without him and we mourn. I am blessed to call her friend and doubly blessed to be by her side as she walks through this valley. She did the same for me when I lost my Dad earlier this year. I pray peace over her and her son as they travel this difficult road.

And, finally, I find myself ready to launch out in new directions. For 28 years, I have been “Mom.” This coming Spring, Lord willing, I will become “Mum-Mum” to a sweet baby girl. In the meantime, there is much to accomplish. I changed seats in the living room this morning. It seemed appropriate that I move over to “Josh’s seat” to write my post. A new place. A new perspective. And as I sat where he always sat, I remembered a quote that’s painted on a lovely chair in my hallway. The chair was an award from my sponsor in The Longaberger Company many years ago for becoming a VIP in sales. The company is gone now, but the pretty chair remains. And the quote? “I have found that sitting in a place that you have never sat before can be inspiring.” The author of the quote was Dodie Smith, an English novelist and playwright. The irony is not lost on me.

So, what’s on the horizon? A number of things, several of which have been unfinished over the years of child rearing: A novel I began when I worked as a legal secretary before Jason was born, a manuscript of devotions for a book contract, a jewelry business that’s been little more than a hobby, and, perhaps, a new endeavor or two. My Mom is, and will continue to be, a priority; it is a privilege to care for her as she cared for my brother and me all those years ago. My husband will undoubtedly be happy to have more of my attention now, and I will continue to help out at the office as needed. My house, too, will hopefully be more tidy now that it’s just the two of us. (Although there will still be plenty of fur from the two dogs and the cat.) I will be spending some time in Maple Valley, Washington, once our grandbaby is born. Beyond that, who knows? Well, God does. In fact, I’m so thankful that even when I don’t know what’s going to happen, He does. And I am happy to trust Him with the future, and with all the transitions to come.