Monday, June 08, 2015

Bending with Life's Changes



My mind is filled with too many thoughts today. Mostly thoughts about going home. On Thursday morning, we fly to PA to work on our house again. Already, my heart clenches with anticipation for that moment when we round the bend and look to our left toward the river and our home.

When we vacationed there in October, our goal was to side the house. Unfortunately, my husband's father passed away the day we flew out so our plans changed. This week, we'll finish what we started plus do the electrical.

Life is crazy. You can have the best of plans and then bang! they change.

I live in Florida when 90% of  belongings reside in PA. Along with my friends, my church and my memories. It's where I wish I could live. But I've come to the conclusion that the best way to deal with these changes is to stay on course, bend with the wind and make up what you must later. Even  if that means being out of your comfort zone.

My other thoughts are hovering on my grandchildren. I have two--a boy and a girl. They are also flying in to vacation with us. I see them maybe once or twice a year so I am eager to connect with them once again. It's something we have to do each time we meet--we are the east coast grandparents. That role, being the faraway grandparents, wasn't in my plans either. But I would not trade my son-in-law for the world even though he lives on the west coast. Another case where you bend with the wind and  make up where you can.

Finally, my thoughts are on my writing. My first novel debuted. I get my first royalty check next month. That's when I'll know how many books I sold in those first six weeks. I'm realistic about the number but there is always that small voice of hope that pricks at my common sense. While I wait for a publisher to accept my second book, I'm tackling my tenth novel.

Swinging out of my comfort zone more than I have before.

Just like everything else in my life.

Bending, adjusting, and moving forward. It's the life God has given me. It's the life I'm glad to take part in. It's the only path I want to walk.




9 comments:

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Oh wow, what a lovely post this is, Terri. I often have thoughtful days like this where I go back and forth about things, finally ending end up very grateful for the life I have.

Sally Wessely said...

This is a great post! I can only imagine the turmoil you must feel at times over having your heart and much of your life in two place. I hope you have a wonderful trip to PA. I wish I were going to be there so we could meet.

Congrats on your expected royalty check. You rock. You really do. I have great admiration for you.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Good thoughts! We bent in the wind this weekend. We'd planned to go whale watching on Sat. But since it was so hot inland then the coast can sometimes not be so good. Fog and choppy water wasn't good for the ride so it was cancelled by the owner. Second time to be disappointed. So husband went to work, I set out.....well you can read the rest on my post. Hope things go better this time for your trip to PA! Lovely state. I've visited there a few times. My husband spent most of his growing up years there. Take care and blessings and safety! :-}

Anonymous said...

Your tenth novel? I love your tenacity, which comes with 'bending with the wind.' I also see it as a knowing that you are completely complete in Christ!

Great Grandma Lin said...

sounds like life is good...

Kenda Turner said...

You're traveling as I write this--hope the trip has gone well so far and when you rounded that bend to the house it was all good :-) How to deal with life's changes and less-than-ideal places we find ourselves in is challenging, but that's why we're thankful we are in God's hands! Wishing you the best...

deeps said...

will power cant bend all our wishes for us..
thats when magic takes over :) and everything falls in place

Sally Wessely said...

You are home from your time in PA now, but I enjoyed reading this. Yes, one must learn to bend with the wind. I'm so glad you had time at your 'home' round the bend of the river where you got to spend time with those wonderful grandchildren.

As you know, my son is in PA and I am in Colorado. No, that is not what I would have wished for, but we make it work the best we can.

Karen Lange said...

You are right - being flexible is necessary. Hope you had a great time in PA! :)