Tuesday Truth.
Number 47.
Does anyone else feel this way?
I know we often think of spring as this bursting forth of new life, but the fall also feels like a new beginning.
A time to shed all the things that no longer serve us.
To let the old fall away.
To have a new beginning.
Spring and fall always feel like turning points to me. A time to choose a different way down the path. Or to keep enjoying the way of the path that you are currently traveling. But, nevertheless, it feels like a time of choosing.
The crispness of fall has finally reached the Blue Ridge Mountains. It makes me feel hopeful and revived. Prepared for life to start all over again.
In my own life, there are already certain wheels set in motion.
Mr. D is moving back to Roanoke. It will make my heart so happy to see his face more often. Where he will stay is still fluid, but it did speed up the remodeling of our basement (so no complaints here). I don’t have any before photos (poor planning on my part), but I’ll soon have some after photos to share. It’s so much lighter and brighter…which always makes me smile.
If you’ve followed my brief moments of finding time to share on here or have followed me for any length of time, then you already know that while I try to stay positive and find gratitude in the ordinary, I have struggles just like everyone else. Recently, I was reading a post by my blogger friend, Jonathan, and his commentary about blogging being a place to exhale really struck me.
That is how my blog began. A place to exhale my journey. My discoveries about the wonders of the world. My struggles with anxiety and self-doubt. My journey about finding myself while still being completely devoted to the role of motherhood that I chose as my primary path in life.
And sometimes that path is hard. I mentioned a couple of months ago that I had some sick teens. One of those was not a “simple” illness. It was like a spiderweb with a slow unraveling of answers. It is not a journey that I have finished traversing, but I can see the light. And that is all I can say about that. As you know, two of my teens are adults and one is close, so while my story intertwines with theirs, their story is theirs alone to tell. While I do not publicly share their stories, I am eternally grateful for my small village of people who do know the journey and have checked on the unraveling while at the same time reminding me that in order to pour, I need to remember to refill.
In other news, I have just returned from the annual soccer tournament in Virginia Beach that Miss Sunshine always looks forward to. It was a perfect weekend for soccer. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. They played four games over the weekend. They won two and lost two, placing third. Each game was close and Miss Sunshine scored two goals! One of my favorite parts of the weekend though was hanging out in the hotel room after a day of soccer and just laughing about silly things. I love this bonding time with her. It’s still hard for me to believe that in less than a week, she will turn 16!
My babies are growing up right before my eyes. It’s such a bittersweet journey, but one that I love to watch. It definitely feels like a new phase. Big Mr.’s (my oldest teen) job keeps his schedule such that some days he and I are the only ones home for a period of time and it fills my heart to have that one-on-one time with him. I know that I am drawing ever closer to them fully spreading their wings and flying.
I just hope that it’s not too far away.
Are you beginning to have fall weather? Fully immersed in fall? Catching glimpses of winter (I surely hope not)? I know some of you are on the other side of the world, so is spring starting to burst forth where you are?
Wherever you are, I hope the weather is glorious and that the day brings a smile to your face.
Let your light shine!
Amy
I can understand that these challenges are private Amy and we send much love to you and your family at this time 🤗💞💜💞
Thank you so much, Xenia!! xx
You are so right. And yes, Fall seems like a new beginning for me, more than any other time.
I understand that exhale thing he was talking about. I do the same, and sometimes it turns into a rant, but one thing I noticed is that I usually feel better after having typed it out. Whatever *it* is at that moment. Sometimes I don’t feel like sharing, sometimes the words don’t come, and sometimes I want to quit blogging altogether but…I get drawn back in.
It’s nice to know that the community out here is there for support, laughter, commiserating, understanding. Don’t you think? 🙂
It IS wonderful to know that the community is out there! 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear that you are struggling with health issues with your children. As a parent, that is the worst and my thoughts are with you and yours. I hope everyone is on the mend and all will be better again soon!
Thank you, Joanne. Our babies never stop being our babies. That is both the joy and the hardness of parenting.
Keep the faith, Amy, in the end all will be well – this is my Mantra. Glad you enjoyed your time at the soccer tournament. Cherish it! No more of this for me, unless I will have grandchildren one day…we are enjoying a few last days of late summer warmth, it is totally gorgeous, as was our mountain getaway weekend. Just need find to post, but it is difficult these days with me real life job sucking the life out of me. But better days are ahead, maybe, hopefully, for sure…in the end all will be well! Marcus
So true, Marcus! That is a great Mantra. Ahhh… a few late days of summer warmth. We seem to have gone from 90’s (F) right down to the 60’s!! Life sometimes is so full that it makes it hard to find the time to post. I hope you keep finding moments to squeeze it in. 🙂
Thanks for your kind words, Amy, much appreciated! Marcus
I can’t take all the credit for the “exhale” thought – that goes to Norah Ephron, somewhere up there in the writing firmament 🙂
Well, it stands as a good thought. I’m glad she wrote it and glad that you shared it! 🙂
I hope everything turns out well and your child is healthy once again! Congrats to Miss Sunshine on the goals, and yes to silly giggly times with her!
Keeping you in my thoughts that all will be well!
Thanks so much, Deborah. I appreciate that. Yes, silly giggly times are so good for the soul.
A beautiful post of contemplation and acceptance of where you are. Life is certainly a challenge Amy, there’s no doubt about that and it’s always a worry when our children are unwell, no matter how old they are. I wish you well and your family too. May fall be a time of renewal for you. Here it’s spring and the days are slowly getting longer and the blossoms are in full bloom. I love this time of year. Take care. Xx
Thank you, Miriam! Life definitely has its challenges. I’m so thankful that it has many blessings as well. I’m looking forward to fall being a time of renewal. Enjoy the blossoms!! xx
Fall is the season where a number of these challenges come up for me too, although the holidays are the hardest for me 😊 I am glad you are hanging onto the positives my friend!
Thanks, Dee Dee! As long as I keep seeking the positives, it helps keep the negatives in perspective.
Awww, Amy. I knew things were rough lately…I somehow missed is was related to your kiddos. Sorry to hear. Sounds like things are moving in the right direction. Sending hugs to you!
Thank you, Pam. This is the first I mentioned what it was related to. Thanks for your check-ins and hugs! 🙂
I LOVE the Fall, Amy! I also feel I am in the Autumn of my life. And, it is a good thing (separate story:) The phrase “a place to exhale” also resonates with me.
Thank you for sharing about the health challenges with your family. I greatly respect and understand the privacy necessary. We have gone through some serious health challenges, too. It is extra stressful when it is your children. I don’t have the answers, except continue to surround yourself with your village. Do not look too far ahead. And, yes “remember to refill.”
Your light always shines, Amy, and you make this world a better place. xo
I am definitely embracing the fall weather! The trees are starting to put on a magnificent display, showing how vibrant they can be!
Thank you for your wisdom. I’m sorry that you have gone through serious health challenges. The journey through any health challenge is not a fun one.
You are so kind and your light brightens my day! xx
I’m sorry to know an illness crept into your household 🙁
I do like ‘let the old fall away’ — that’s lovely!
I’m really late, so we’ve had a beautiful fall, the colors are to peak this weekend, and umm, we had our first snow on Halloween!
Thanks, Joey. We have finally come to a point of current resolution.
I’m glad that you’ve had a beautiful fall. Our colors are at peak, although the winds keep blowing them away. Snow!! Eek. We had some showing as possible on Friday, but now that’s shifted away.
I’m glad everyone’s on the mend 🙂