Sunday, June 12, 2011

Until We Meet Again

The washing machine, dryer and dishwasher are all humming in the background. The sky is blue, the breeze is blowing, the dogs are lounging. The family is in varying stages of regrouping. The kids are moving back into their rooms after having moved out for their grandparents and their Aunt and Uncle and niece. We are taking down the temporary beds, folding clothes, putting away laundry and dishes, putting the house back together, returning to normalcy and calm. It is the hush after the family has left. It is quiet, calm, and a bit empty.

There is the sweet echo of our time together co-mingled with the melancholy awareness that we won't get to see one another again for some time. It is easy to get swept up into our day to day lives and allow time to slip away from us. We have been consumed by the activities of our lives, our children's lives and their interests as well as the demands of Karl's work and the various priorities, the comings and goings of our friends, local family, the maintenance of our home, my work and, and, and... the list goes on. All this is not an excuse, rather an awareness of the fleeting nature of time, and the limits placed upon us with family that live so many miles apart. All that said, the times we do come together are made that much more precious and these past two weeks were no exception. In fact, these past two weeks brought us all closer, with more understanding of who we are and how important we are to one another and of course the affirmation that we would like to make our visits more regular.

We are all in major transition. Krista is done with high school and heading off to school in the Fall. Ryan and Dakota are a relatively new couple and negotiating college life out in the world by themselves. My brother-in-law, sister-in-law and Niece are learning how to be a new family and getting ready to move, my Father-in-law and his wife will be adjusting to retired life, and Karl and I will be empty nesters so fast our heads will spin. Much change ahead for all of us. It seems a fitting time to come together and remind one another what is truly important in life: to love and be loved, to follow our path and purpose, to treat one another with kindness, love and respect, to be present for one another, to remember all we are grateful for. We cracked hearts wide open, shared hopes, dreams, laughter, even hurts and always love. I am deeply grateful to each and every person for their willing spirit, time and attention, as well as love, honor and respect for one and all. This is no small thing. Thank you all. My heart is filled to overflowing. Until we meet again.

This is a "we" thing. So long as "we" are willing participants, miracles will abound as "we" come together in love. Any "we" will do! In-joy your "we" time, we sure are!

12 comments:

  1. Beautiful reflection on such a changing time in your lives. I love how you described the calm of the house and how it reflects the feelings you have right now. Enjoy the moments!

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  2. It's easy to get caught up in the details and gloss over the big events. Thanks for the reminder to celebrate the time we spend with our loved ones and the milestones of our lives.

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  3. I feel for you. I am experiencing the same thing. Two of my children in college, one a senior in high school. I home educated them, so it's a double whammy for me. Change everywhere...But, I know that God has a plan.

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  4. Thank you Leah! I am doing my best! Shary, too easy, isn't it? And Journey to epiphany, this is why we raise them up, isn't it? It is not always easy but the gifts are great!

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  5. Wonderful words Kim, It actually made me a little weepy. I find it so hard when family and or friends leave. The house feels so lonely for a few days. As for the empty nest it is only for awhile. The children and their loved ones will always fly home to your nest wherever it is. With joy and sweetness we allow them to fly and make their own nests.

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  6. Awww Cheryl... :) You are so right. You and your family are one of my favorite examples of how it can get better and better!

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  7. Kim, I love it that you take time to write down your thoughts about these precious moments. Beautiful!

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  8. Thank you Carol! You are so kind to read! Hugs to you! <3

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  9. "We" time is so important. My family is very close, but as my siblings and I have grown up, we find that it isn't always easy to have that kind of time together.

    Treasure every bit of it!

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  10. Wosushi... You are so right. As families grow and our lives take us in different directions, it is more and more precious, each and every moment "we" share. 'Treasure every bit', indeed.

    Thank you so much for reading and commenting! It is another way "we" come together with and for one another! It touches my heart. Thank you!

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  11. Beautifully said.

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  12. Thank you Madge. Thanks for reading, I am honored.

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