November 25, 2017: Thankful for My Heritage!

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3

A sentiment I’ve often heard from my mom during times of transition is “life changes quickly sometimes.”  In saying this, I believe she is reinforcing the old boy scout motto, “be prepared” because you never know when these changes will happen. Of course, there’s only so much you can be prepared for a sudden and sometimes tragic change in life, but simply knowing unexpected changes WILL happen can help you to rise up and ride the waves threatening to knock you over and pull you under.

This year was another one of change for our family.  Over the summer, our boys decided to “change places.”  So, my oldest, who has been living with his dad for the past 4 years, decided to move here to WA, while our youngest, who has always lived with us, decided to go back to his birthplace on the island.  Even though it was something I thought I was prepared for (as the youngest and I had talked about it before it was decided), I am always surprised at how these changes affect my emotions, sending me on a rollercoaster and making me queasy for a bit.  Once my stomach settles, I remember what my mom says about change, wipe my tears, and adjust to the new normal. 

It’s been about 3 months since the boys completed their switcheroo, and even though I miss my baby boy terribly, I am enjoying spending daily life with my oldest again, and the verse that comes to mind is Psalm 127:3.  God has blessed me with two beautiful sons, two sweet souls, and I have very little to do with how wonderful they are.  Being a mom is still the most challenging job I’ve ever had, and my boys are a gift to me. I didn’t do anything to earn them nor to be able to keep them in my life. I try to love and guide them the best that I can, but bottom line is that I was simply rewarded with them by a gracious God, who has granted them wisdom beyond their years, knowing what their parents would need and being willing to sacrifice in order to bring peace to the family. They are a reminder to me that my treasure does not lie in my possessions or in anything I have done or will do in this world. My sons are my heritage, and I am thankful for them. 

-->

God, thank you for the gift of my children. Guide them throughout life and help me love them the way you do and to raise them in the way that you would have them to go. 

March 18, 2017: WA Honeymoon Woes…

Is a few minutes of sunshine and a temperature above 47 degrees too much to ask? This was the question I wanted to shout out to the cars barreling past me as I ran with Gunner in the pouring rain for the umpteenth time last week. Back in November, running in the rain was somewhat of a refreshing novelty. Now, it’s March, and running in the rain has made me feel like WA is telling me the honeymoon is over!

Since arriving here a little over 3 years ago, the NW has been on its best behavior, much like two teenagers in love.  The temperatures have been mild the majority of the year, yet kindly reminding me in summer of my island home for a very short month or so, making the transition stateside a little easier.  Until this winter, I haven’t felt the way everyone told me I would about the rain, but WA has begun to show her true colors, expressing the rainy reputation that follows her all over the world and making the nickname, “Emerald City,” a reality!  

Of course, the day after I was yelling about the cruelty and unpredictability of nature, the temps rose to 52 degrees, and I had a dry run with a sport or two of sunshine, but then it was back to rain, rain, and more rain. When I left Kwajalein, I was so happy to be able to walk out my door with my hair down and without feeling immediately like I needed to go back inside to take a shower because I was already wind-blown and sweaty, and now, it’s the cold rain bringing me down. The stubborn, prideful part of me never thought I’d say that or even actually feel that way. So, it just goes to prove that old adage, the grass is not always greener on the other side. Well, it is actually ALWAYS greener in the Evergreen State of WA, but metaphorically speaking, not so much. 

The one thing living overseas on an isolated, tropical island in the middle of the sea taught me is that you can choose to allow your circumstances to dictate your attitude about life OR you can choose to change your perspective and find contentment in EVERY circumstance, so even though WA and I have suffered a few honeymoon woes this winter, I was still able to pull some nuggets of golden life lessons out of those long, wet runs with my spoiled, energizer bunny chasing dog.  (Or at least I am reminded of the life lessons I tend to forget when I am cold, wet, and trying desperately to dodge the pond like puddles blocking the path while I run.)

What I’ve Learned:

·      Nature is always a cure for whatever is ailing you. After a long day cooped up inside at work, then a long drive in I-5 traffic home, getting outside, even in the rain, is refreshing and relaxing. I may drag my feet and grumble as Gunner pulls me out the door, but I am always content when we arrive home.

·      Beauty and opportunity are literally around every new bend, state, job, home, etc...It was easy to see it at all this at first because I lived in such a small world for so long, so everything was filled with beautiful new promise. Now, after three years in a much bigger world, I can say that WA has a way of making you continue to appreciate the sunshine on the road and stunning views all around of the sound and the mountains because of the months of clouds and rain, not in spite of it.  Mt. Rainer doesn’t let you take her for granted by showing her magnificence every day. And with these attractions so close and the abundance of activities in this state, we have still not exhausted all the family adventures on my list of “things to do in WA.”   

·      It’s not easy being green, but it sure is pretty! I always loved going to Hawaii because even though it usually rained at least once a day there, it was a warm, soft rain, and it kept everything so lush and green. Well, it’s similar here. The rain is what makes the rainforests so uniquely mossy and what makes running outside year round more palatable. I had forgotten how brown other states get in the winter until going back to AL for Christmas. I was shocked by the barrenness of the South in the winter, and immediately realized it was because I rarely see that here in the NW. It’s always green!  

·      Life is better when lived in the moment. I can’t say I never pine for the long days of summer with perfect camping weather, but it does teach me to live in the moment. 

As my husband so aptly reminded me the other day, in a few months, you’ll be longing for the rain again because it will be so dry.  He’s right, I will, so I think it’s better to enjoy today as is.  In fact, I really need to get off the computer now and head outside because guess what, the sun is out!! And the weather app on my phone says after today, it’s going to rain straight through from now until Tuesday after next.