Have you started a new chapter in your life, only it feels empty and without any words? Are you staring at the refrigerator and wondering when it will be full again? Are you listening for the car in the driveway, the close of the front door, and the laughter from the other room? Do you miss those late night conversations, when all you want to do is sleep? Join me on my journey as I walk this road I have never walked before. Let’s figure this out together.
Not that long, my husband Dave and I announced to the world that we were expecting our first baby. At least to us it does not seem that long. Now 22 years later, we are about to watch her graduate from college and a month later get married. It doesn’t seem possible that I have raised this young lady from a tiny helpless infant into a strong young lady who is now ready to begin her own family. Yet, I keep asking myself what did I expect? We don’t have these sweet little ones so they can stay under our roof and be hermits for the duration of their lives. Rather, we have them so they can enrich our lives and the lives of those they meet. Our 3 beautiful daughters have enriched our lives and the many that they meet.
Our youngest daughter joined her sisters at Cedarville University this year. Yes, we have 3 in college this year. It is nice they are at the same place. It is easy to visit them. The difficult challenge for me has been that since I home schooled all 3 of them, my life has been these girls. Thus, a new chapter of my life has begun.
It has been an adjustment for me to not have anyone to take care of, and yet there have been times that I have enjoyed the change in responsibilities. It has been with mixed emotions, I got out of bed many days when they were first gone. I scheduled lunches with friends every day for the first 2 weeks. I had not eaten lunch by myself in over 20 years. Dave was home for supper so that was nice. Then, I traveled with Dave for business to China for two weeks.
It seems to have been a whirlwind since then. I have traveled to see the girls at Cedarville, celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with them. Traveled to see my parents in St. Martin then went on a cruise with Dave. I also picked up a job working as a home health care nurse. My year has been full. There has been spring break and another spring break to go. Easter break. Graduation. Everyone home for a month. The WEDDING.
This has been a full year, a good year, and a year of change
BUT, I am dreading next year. I planned so well for this year. What will next year hold?
And at this point, God reminded me that this is where faith comes in. God is so ready to write the pages of my life, to draw the pictures that my daughters will look at, so much of life to live what have I to fear? What have I to dread?
Join me as I walk this new road, watch God write this new chapter, and live these years that I never dreamed about as a young girl. What will be next?
For more information about me join me on my home page at http://www.dannadykema.com/
