It's time.
Yesterday morning I went into work with a really great feeling. I had made one of the most important decisions of my life and it felt good - my shoulders feel a lot less burdened by wondering when exactly I would make this choice. And so, when my supervisor came in and started to unlock her office door, she looked at me and knew that I had something to tell her - and something to give her. It was my notice of retirement - the paperwork was submitted and it was time to take the step. I cried like a baby when I gave it to her. I am hopeless.
You know, it felt more like a giant leap than a step, but I took it anyway. And so, in just a few weeks, my time at the university will be done, my desk will finally be empty, and I can walk away knowing that I've enjoyed every moment, have loved each day that I was blessed to work there, and most of all, that I could leave knowing that I was leaving friends rather than co-workers. It will be a bittersweet time - a time of preparation, of dotting I's and crossing Ts. (Of filling the confidential recycle bin with all those things that I will never need to remember again about Federal financial aid). By the time Kasey and Veronica are old enough for college I can MAYBE still remember how to fill out a FAFSA application but I wouldn't bet on it.
And this will be a time of letting go. It won't be easy. Dear Lord, please help me to realize that it's not a bad thing to retire - it's just a different road to travel. And it doesn't matter that my sick leave credit is based on my life expectancy - although it's quite humorous to see how much time they are giving me at the outset. :) Yup, humorous is the right word I guess.
But hey - this is no time to think about life expectancy. I think God still has a lot in store for Ron and I.
It's time we found out - don't ya think?
Blessings and love and as always, may God bless our troops and those of us who wait.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Keeping in Touch
Deployment is taking on a whole new meaning these days as Stephen's missions in the sand get longer and longer. It means that he isn't able to call, doesn't have the time to write, and internet access isn't something easily come by - he does have his computer with him, but internet access is expensive. And so, we hunker down now, write more letters, send more Kasey pictures and "artwork" and wait for the time when he can have a better schedule.
We have plenty to keep us busy these days. The house is sold, there is plenty to pack (and toss), and our furniture is being sold a piece or two at a time, which is great. We've had a few struggles here and there, but time is going really quickly and before we know it, life as we know it will be sooo much different. It's been our dream for a long time now to do this full time RVing thing, and now that the time is here, for me it's just a bit frightening. No. frightening is not the word. I can't think of a word to describe it, but it's not a bad thing. Just overwhelming. Yup, that's the word. Overwhelming. Whew - glad I got THAT figured out. :)
Kasey, Kasey, Kasey. Our days with him are going so quickly-the days with him yet to come are ahead of us like a wonderful beam of sunshine. Laurie calls every day so it's good that he can talk to mommy and stay connected to her during this long separation.
I've been bad about visiting your blogs - please forgive me. Having not been here for a week either, I can tell you that life just keeps going at break neck speed and I am trusting that it will slow down one of these days. It will, WON"T it?
God bless you all...and may He keep our troops safe in His care.
Deployment is taking on a whole new meaning these days as Stephen's missions in the sand get longer and longer. It means that he isn't able to call, doesn't have the time to write, and internet access isn't something easily come by - he does have his computer with him, but internet access is expensive. And so, we hunker down now, write more letters, send more Kasey pictures and "artwork" and wait for the time when he can have a better schedule.
We have plenty to keep us busy these days. The house is sold, there is plenty to pack (and toss), and our furniture is being sold a piece or two at a time, which is great. We've had a few struggles here and there, but time is going really quickly and before we know it, life as we know it will be sooo much different. It's been our dream for a long time now to do this full time RVing thing, and now that the time is here, for me it's just a bit frightening. No. frightening is not the word. I can't think of a word to describe it, but it's not a bad thing. Just overwhelming. Yup, that's the word. Overwhelming. Whew - glad I got THAT figured out. :)
Kasey, Kasey, Kasey. Our days with him are going so quickly-the days with him yet to come are ahead of us like a wonderful beam of sunshine. Laurie calls every day so it's good that he can talk to mommy and stay connected to her during this long separation.
I've been bad about visiting your blogs - please forgive me. Having not been here for a week either, I can tell you that life just keeps going at break neck speed and I am trusting that it will slow down one of these days. It will, WON"T it?
God bless you all...and may He keep our troops safe in His care.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Flight 3407
Last night, as I was turning out lights and getting ready for bed, I paused to sit at my computer for a few moments and listen to the 11 oclock local news. It was then that I learned about a small plane that crashed into a home in a suburb east of Buffalo, and it totally flattened the home and the entire neighborhood was witness to a home being demolished. The first reports were about a small plane, so I assumed it was a private plane. But it didn't matter what kind of a plane it was, those on board had perished, and most likely everyone in the home as well. And God heard my prayers along with those at the scene.
This morning, I turned on the news and sadly found out that the plane was a commuter plane flying into Buffalo with 49 people on board in mist and snow and wind. Somehow, the day went on, but in a state of sorrow for all of those lost.
You have probably all heard about it by now and so I add my prayers to yours. You probably have heard the stories of those on board - each of them personal, and sad.
But there were also the stories of God's grace for some of the would be passengers who missed Flight 3407 because of missed connections, or deciding not to go standby after all. All of these things were God's will, not luck, but God's Grace. I pray those lost now rest with Him and that those who mourn for their loved ones also know His peace. It's what we count on and appreciate when we don't have the answers to "why?"
May He be with us all and help us to appreciate our lives - and spread His love.
Last night, as I was turning out lights and getting ready for bed, I paused to sit at my computer for a few moments and listen to the 11 oclock local news. It was then that I learned about a small plane that crashed into a home in a suburb east of Buffalo, and it totally flattened the home and the entire neighborhood was witness to a home being demolished. The first reports were about a small plane, so I assumed it was a private plane. But it didn't matter what kind of a plane it was, those on board had perished, and most likely everyone in the home as well. And God heard my prayers along with those at the scene.
This morning, I turned on the news and sadly found out that the plane was a commuter plane flying into Buffalo with 49 people on board in mist and snow and wind. Somehow, the day went on, but in a state of sorrow for all of those lost.
You have probably all heard about it by now and so I add my prayers to yours. You probably have heard the stories of those on board - each of them personal, and sad.
But there were also the stories of God's grace for some of the would be passengers who missed Flight 3407 because of missed connections, or deciding not to go standby after all. All of these things were God's will, not luck, but God's Grace. I pray those lost now rest with Him and that those who mourn for their loved ones also know His peace. It's what we count on and appreciate when we don't have the answers to "why?"
May He be with us all and help us to appreciate our lives - and spread His love.
Friday, February 06, 2009
I see you smiling, Mom and Dad.
Today, my little sister Chelle became a grandma when her oldest daughter, my niece Nicole, gave birth to her first child. He was delivered by c-section since he weighed 9lbs. 5 oz. Big boy Van Christian is, but healthy - and his mommy is doing well also. I've been feeling pretty nostalgic today and thinking a lot about our family. This little boy is named for his grandpa, (we called him Skip, but his name was Van) whom he will never meet because he passed away 11 years ago. I know that he is smiling down with pride and happiness on his daughter and grandson.
There are three of us girls born to my mom and dad - poor dad had to wait til I gave birth to Scott to have a baby boy in the family. But Dad was proud of his family and I know he's smiling down with Mom as they see Chelle as a new grandma. All their girls are grandmas. There's kind of a completeness about it, you know? Chelle and her hubby Bob will be wonderful grandparents - just like Mom and Dad were.
And so, welcome to the world little Van Christian. There are many of us who haven't met you, and yet we love you. The world is good - don't let anyone tell you different. Tonight your mommy's and daddy's world is perfect....and it's just the beginning for you all.
I am so thankful for my mom and dad - for bringing us up in a loving and happy home. It makes days like today even more perfect.
Be blessed Nicole and Bryan and Van. God is watching over you all with His great -and very tender - goodness and love.
Today, my little sister Chelle became a grandma when her oldest daughter, my niece Nicole, gave birth to her first child. He was delivered by c-section since he weighed 9lbs. 5 oz. Big boy Van Christian is, but healthy - and his mommy is doing well also. I've been feeling pretty nostalgic today and thinking a lot about our family. This little boy is named for his grandpa, (we called him Skip, but his name was Van) whom he will never meet because he passed away 11 years ago. I know that he is smiling down with pride and happiness on his daughter and grandson.
There are three of us girls born to my mom and dad - poor dad had to wait til I gave birth to Scott to have a baby boy in the family. But Dad was proud of his family and I know he's smiling down with Mom as they see Chelle as a new grandma. All their girls are grandmas. There's kind of a completeness about it, you know? Chelle and her hubby Bob will be wonderful grandparents - just like Mom and Dad were.
And so, welcome to the world little Van Christian. There are many of us who haven't met you, and yet we love you. The world is good - don't let anyone tell you different. Tonight your mommy's and daddy's world is perfect....and it's just the beginning for you all.
I am so thankful for my mom and dad - for bringing us up in a loving and happy home. It makes days like today even more perfect.
Be blessed Nicole and Bryan and Van. God is watching over you all with His great -and very tender - goodness and love.
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