There seems to be a theme going on in my life lately and I don't know if it's me or just a stage in life common to all of us when we hit our 40's. Letting go and surrendering. In so many areas this is being demanded of me: Marriage, children, work-life, friendships, aging parents, etc. It seems like letting go should be such a simple act, but when I've been gripping on so hard my hands and heart feel frozen in place, it's so difficult to actually loosen my grip. I don't have any answers yet, just many questions...
emma

One of my dear friends from work is about to get a book contract for her terrific book on launching teens. I am so proud of her and happy and impressed and a lot of other nice adjectives. She is someone who I would label an " authentic writer", defined by me as someone who has always had an interest in writing, has submitted articles to various media, runs a writer's group, knows her verb tenses and how to use them, goes to writer's conferences and hangs out with other writers. I am really none of those things and yet, I find myself writing because I feel I have something important to say. I totally understand the whole "pay your dues" thing in life and I absolutely respect and admire all the people that fall into the category of "authentic writer" but that doesn't help me characterize myself accurately when it comes to writing.

One of the things I am learning in life is that if God wants to do something, then He will accomplish His desire. Nothing I do will get in the way of God's will. I want to believe that my book is something that God wants to accomplish through me, despite my inadequacies as a writer. I feel a bit like Moses, in that He should have picked someone else. Maybe He hasn't really picked me in the first place but I will stand with my back to the wind of a thousand publishing details to accomplish this task, if this is what He has for me.

CD

I'm in my 40's and one would think life is pretty predictable at this stage in time. One would think....Why then, do I feel like my life has been shaken up and poured out and I can't see straight? Marriages failing, friends sick, financial worries, huge life-changes going on. I did not think this is how life would be at 40 something.
In the midst of all this I can still say God is good. I have awesome friends who love me, health, and the opportunity to experience life in a whole new way. I'm more afraid than I've ever been, yet I'm more alive than I've ever been.

emma

It was my birthday and we were sitting on the airplane going to Atlanta when we figured out that our oldest son would be in the same airport an hour later. We decided to meet him at customs and surprise him. It was selfish on my part for a couple of reasons. He was returning from a week in Spain visiting our Spanish "family". I was dying to hear the stories and to catch up on the Camarma news. The other thing is that when your children are old enough to have left home, any small chance to see them is worth the trouble.

He came out of customs and did not see us till his sister walked up to him and said "hola". We began to get bits and pieces of the Spain trip when we inquired what the rest of his weekend looked like. Come to Auburn with us! After checking with his roomie regarding a lax clinic he was supposed to run, he said he was free to do whatever.

Thus began one of the best weekends ever. We rented a car and drove to Auburn to see son #3 in the marching band. We ate BBQ, drank sweet tea and tailgated with a real Southern Belle. After witnessing the Tiger Walk,we watched the band march into the four corners of the street outside the stadium. There they were, bobbing up and down, raising their instruments into the air and cheering their loudest. Talk about a college with fun traditions! It was great.

It has always been important to me that my children were happy when they went away to school. I cared less about classes than relationships. We are three for four now with one to go. Son #3 is doing great. Loving the South. Being a Tiger. Son #1 is a true Spaniard at heart. Glad he can go overseas when he gets the chance. We missed spending time with Son #2 this weekend but he was off doing his own thing with his great friends from UD. At that particular time, life couldn't get a whole lot better. War Eagle!


CD

I really didn't think I would go. The girls had planned a weekend away in Chicago and I have had so much going on... Emotionally I knew I needed a break; practically, I didn't think I could afford it-financially or otherwise. Long story short, I decided to go and it was fabulous!
Spending time with girlfriends is so necessary, I can't express how wonderful walking around the city, shopping, eating together, laughing over the silliest of things, sharing make-up tips, having emotional talks; there's nothing like it. I feel as if my fuel tank isn't on E anymore!! On top of that, I learned I love, love, love Chicago!