A couple weekends ago, I turned 57. Not a Big–0 birthday, but big nonetheless. Because I’ve now been out of teaching for an entire decade.
This 1–0 anniversary is a good reason to think about what’s happened since my wonderful co-workers gave me a send off that included the granting of a childhood wish to be a flower girl by making a “Mrs. Philo Phlowergirl Phorever” sash for me. (Which, by the way, is still in my closet.) Here’s a smattering of where the decade went:
- We said good-bye to both Hiram’s parents.
- We hosted a foreign exchange student from Japan.
- My daughter and I went to Europe.
- My daughter graduated from high school and then college.
- Hiram and I adapted to the empty nest smoothly.
- Mom moved from her home to my brother’s house.
- Mom’s house sold 4 hours after it was listed on the market.
- Both our kids got married…within 3 months of each other.
- We helped them move from here to there to there to….
- Our first grandchild lit up our world.
- Hiram and I celebrated 10 more anniversaries, with the count now standing at 36.
- We’ve vacationed together in Alaska, Idaho, Savannah, Wisconsin, and probably other places that slip my mind because I’m 10 years older than I used to be.
- I’ve traveled to speaking gigs all over Iowa and in DC, San Diego, Long Beach, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Illinois, Texas and other places that slip my mind because of jet lag.
- Only my mother, 2 of her sisters, and 1 brother-in-law are left of her 7 siblings and spouses who filled my childhood with security and a sense of belonging.
- I worked for our church part time 4 years.
- God allowed our congregation built a new church, and He provided everything needed to furnish it.
- I’ve published scads of magazine articles and 2 books with contracts for 2 more.
- Those books have led to friendships with the most amazing people in special needs ministry around the country.
- I’ve gained enough tech savvy to be dangerous, but not enough to be proficient.
- My retirement pension started sending checks 2 years ago.
The list could go on and on, but you get the picture. God blessed my step of faith out of education and into writing and speaking. He’s been with us through every joy, every sorrow, every good-bye, and every challenge. Sometimes, He even provides opportunities so I can wear my Phlowergirl Phorever sash at speaking engagements.
What more could I possibly want?
