Yesterday I
turned 30. Although calling it my second 29th birthday doesn’t sound
quite as old. In honor of beginning a new decade, I’ve
decided to begin a few other new things. I’ve been running. So far, my progress
seems rather pathetic, and judging by the fact that I can barely get out of bed
in the mornings because of my aches and pains, it seems that my body is in
complete protest of this new hobby. And I’m not sure how much weight I’ll lose,
because running makes me very hungry.
I’ve also decided to start blogging,
which you may have noticed. Several people have encouraged me to, and honestly,
writing has been something that I’ve loved since 5th grade. I had a
quirky, somewhat strict, English teacher in 5th grade, who gave us a
writing assignment every week all year, and I ended up realizing that writing
was something that I loved almost as much as reading. I’m typically a very
private person, so this whole idea of putting your thoughts out in front of the
world is a little strange and uncomfortable for me (my sweet husband has
assured me that if people are annoyed, they don’t have to read it). But I’ve been thinking lately that blogging
would be something that I could take time out away from my busy family and do
that was JUST FOR ME, and that I enjoyed doing. I don’t think mamas do that
enough. I have this little fear of sitting down in my empty nest someday, and realizing
that I don’t remember anything I liked, or loved, or was good at. So this is an
effort to do a little something for myself. And if anyone else enjoys reading
it, or is encouraged in any way, that’s awesome too. I don’t know how often I’ll
write, or what I’ll write about. Probably my kids and being a mommy. Maybe my
husband and being married. Maybe my past. Probably Jesus. Probably not sports
or politics or small engine repair.
My twenties were pretty full. I
lived in 4 states. I’ve worked as a waitress, nurses’ assistant, secretary, English-as-a-second-language
tutor, telemarketer, housekeeper, salesperson for women’s clothing, seamstress,
surgery tech at an animal hospital, and a registered nurse. (not all at the
same time) I got a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. I traveled to 19 states I had
never been to before. I went on a cruise. I visited Mexico, which was my first
time outside the U.S. I flew in a commercial jet for the first time, and rode
Amtrak halfway across the country and back by myself.
There were bad times. I witnessed
the end of my parents’ marriage, and the end of our home. I lost my best
friend, forever. I battled an addiction. I had to move, and make new friends,
and “fit in”, and learn how to be independent and take care of myself. But looking
back, I can see where good has always won out, and God has always had a plan,
and has always rescued me from myself and brought me right back to where I was
meant to be.
Along the way, I made new friends, who helped me to laugh,
and to keep going. I learned that trusting in Jesus isn’t about unicorns and
rainbows, but sometimes it’s about clinging to the only One left when things
get pretty dark and scary. I met my soulmate: This man who believed in me, and
was there for me always, and kept me from giving up on love, and life in
general. I married him, on a warm August day, and we’ve already been on so many
adventures together. I’ve gotten to give birth three times, to two beautiful
little girls, and a sweet little boy, who have filled up my life so completely with
love and joy, that I can’t imagine life without them. They’ve made me a better
person.
I feel like I’ve grown a lot in these 10 years. I’ve been at
bedsides and held hands of people being ushered into eternity. I’ve witnessed the
miracle and joy of life entering the world, too. I’ve learned more about how to
forgive, how to be content, how to be unselfish…. I’m excited about what my
next decade will hold, and all the things I’ll be able to learn and do, and
experience with my little family.
Sorry. That got a little deep. On a lighter note, I’m pretty
sure DQ Dilly Bars are one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
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