Change Is Here And Can’t Be Beat
Follow
Sierra and Sequoia enjoy a day at Coney Island
Change. It’s a word I used to hate.
When Deron and I relocated to Fort Myers, Fla., 10 years ago, I pretended it wasn’t happening. I acted as if I was on vacation and would return to D.C. at any moment. So every time there was a break – spring break, winter break or summer break – I was on the first flight out. No, Fort Myers was not my home.
It didn’t matter that I was in sunny Florida, essentially starting a new career in education, meeting new people and making new decisions. I was still resisting the change. In fact, it took me several years to accept the fact that change happens and you can’t fight it. But over the years, I’ve gotten better at accepting it, navigating it and even enjoying it. Change isn’t so bad realize it’s unavoidable and uncontrollable.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Here it is again, knocking at my door. Besides the fact that I’m starting work at a new school, my daughters are changing in a big way this year and I’m feeling all the emotion of their transitions. One is heading to high school while the other is starting middle school. This is definitely a new phase of parenting.
But change often brings rewards along the way.
The girls and I before riding the Wonder Wheel
My former basketball-shorts and T-shirt-wearing daughter continues to evolve into a pre-teen who thinks it’s “important to moisturize.” Meanwhile my new high-schooler has matured enough to tell me she doesn’t think it’s lady-like to curse. (Yes!)
Suddenly, motherhood feels different. My family feels different. A shift has happened and it’s out of my control. I find myself in a range of emotions – excited for them, a little sad for myself (because time is running away). I’m wondering what this means for our family time, praying that they/we can handle and balance all that comes with this change.
But mostly, I’m excited because change really does mean growth. And that’s what I want for me and my family. Growth.
VS
