This month honors women and today I honor the grandmothers who loved their children with all their hearts, loved their men passionately, and cared for themselves tenderly.
Recently, I was visiting with a friend of mine from high school. What? Yes, that was a LONG TIME AGO, in a land far, far away, but we still share our lives with each other. We are both grandmas and enjoy the fact that our children have married, moved out, and are now giving us reasons to live a life filled with precious moments. She sent me this photo of her backyard with the heading, "Full moon and fire pit," and it spoke so much to me that I had to share it with you.
So, what happens when you reach that "Empty Nest" stage of life? I think for me being a mom was the MOST enjoyable part of my life. Watching my daughter learn as a toddler, dance on school stages, and explore the wilderness as we traveled the USA are all very fond memories for me. Now, I'm focused on living a purpose for "the greater good" as a therapist, but I still enjoy the quiet of the early dawn, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and the warmth of my favorite throw blanket.
As we age we have the opportunity to look back at the accomplishments of our lives and smile. We can look into the eyes of our grandchildren and remember a time when our children did the same silly things. We can sit with our loved ones and laugh at the moments filled with tender loving care. All we have to do is take the time to look. Sadly, this is our greatest challenge. We forget to look for the blessings and time slips through our hands leaving us feeling lonely, isolated, and neglected. It is not the responsibility of our children to ensure our lives are fulfilling. It is our job to live our lives to the best of our abilities. If we plan for our future we can ensure a happily ever after. Even as we slide over the hill, we can still seek the daily blessings all around us and find hidden treasures right before our eyes.