Slowly but surely some semblance of order is taking shape around here. I say that while our washing machine sits in the kitchen. The laundry room is getting it’s new floor finally. The whole floor tiling ordeal began because of the laundry room when there was water damage from our leaking hot water heater. I have been looking a subfloor all these months and am beyond ready to have that covered up. Then, all I have left is our powder room. You would think a tiny little bathroom would be easy, BUT I wanted a new cabinet in there and if you are going to have to take up the toilet, you might as well replace the child size one with an adult size one. So, this week there has been a chunk of bathroom improvement shopping. Our poor bank account!
I titled today’s post “Life – Phase 4” because as I settle into my new life I realized that we don’t actually break our lives down into neat little bits anymore than life ever goes completely aggravation free even during the best parts.
In my head, Phase 1 was childhood through my early 20’s, Phase 2 was married life and early motherhood, Phase 3 was divorced and single mom and now I am at Phase 4, remarried and empty nest. There are varying numbers of years in each phase, but the common denominators are big life changes.
How many times do you hear people refer to their lives as, “after I got married”, “when my second child was born”, “after I lost my job”, “when Mom was sick”, or “after my husband died”? The big, pivotal life events are our markers. Sometimes we can’t even remember the year all that clearly, but the event is burned in our soul.
These time markers aren’t planned either. I’m sure the 2016 Summer Olympians will always mark these couple of weeks on their life calendars, but I suspect they will not actually be the beginning of a new life phase. Probably in many cases it will be a moment like, “the first time I swam the length of the pool when I was seven” or “after my shoulder injury I had to make up my mind to keep going”. Time markers are deeply relational and/or deeply emotional.
Sometimes we get stuck in a phase. I know people who seem to be stuck and unable to move forward in life because of grief, unforgiveness or fear. In limbo is not a good feeling. I have been there. The problem is that you can’t rush it, but you do have to deal with it. Head on. Running away or avoiding just makes it worse. Wallowing in it should only be allowed for a limited time. Two weeks most likely, not two years. People start avoiding you if you wallow too long.
If you have some down time this week, kick back and think about your life phases. Enjoy the memories of the good ones and pat yourself on the back for surviving the bad ones. If you are in a bad one, be good to yourself and know that you will get through it. You probably have some work to do, but are capable. Don’t think you aren’t and there are people who can help if you need it. We all do sometimes. Life ain’t for sissies!
Have a great week! I am working on my writing skills and subjects, so if you have suggestions or ideas please let me know.
Pencils, Paint & Paper 