Forward

It's done... we're back, settling in to life as we know it... without #5.

Zach is far away, working as an intern, preparing for his first fall semester as a full time student.

It's very strange... I find myself strong and sound at moments, confident and excited for our oldest boy, yet in the blink of an eye I might desolve to tears with unexpected emotion.

Happily, it's all good, and these changes, challenging as they are (who could know 18 years ago would come and go SO fast?) are producing a fortitude and perseverance in each of us.  Such is life.

I sent a text to Ethan the other day (as we sat across from one another at the airport) asking if he was sad to leave.  "Yep" was the younger brother's response. Confirming my thoughts, I quickly quoted the familiar adage:  "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger", to which he replied, "Yep".

And so, my new personal mantra will predominantly charge my course in the weeks and months ahead :o>

(Sigh)... Onward!

tick... tick... tick...

Time...

Do you need more of it?  Does is seem there's never enough of it?  Do you wish for better use of it, or to secure a better grasp of it?

No matter how I think of it, time does not slow down, and certainly does not stop, stand still or wait.  The older one gets, the faster it seems to dissipate. Where does it go so fast?

Finding the balance in life is tricky, wouldn't you agree?  I'm wanting to use my time well, and yet I struggle to allow myself the freedom to not be such a keeper of it in order to embrace the simplicity and fun that often a momentary absence of schedule might afford.

I believe the wrestle has to do with contentment... knowing that there is no slowing it down, and therefore making the most of time in the busy and the mundane and the occasional down time.  Accepting what is, being grateful for what is, and rolling with it (or, if you prefer, being rolled by it).