Happy Easter 2017 Featured
Santa Barbara Mission rose
Here we are…2 years and 7 months since I wrote the first entry to this blog titled “Transitions”. And there have been a few transitions since that beautiful fall day in September 2015. I’m in the initial stages of a major life transition – RETIREMENT. January 2016 (shortly after I wrote my last post on December 24, 2015) I made the decision to retire at the end of 2016. My list of to do’s, that didn’t include getting up and driving 100+ miles every day, was growing and my heart was yearning for simpler days where I could nourish my creative side, learn more about myself and how I could reach my fullest potential personally and spiritually. To paraphrase the New York Times best-selling Catholic writer Matthew Kelly ( Dynamic Catholic ) I wanted to work on creating the best version of myself.
My plan on December 19, 2016, when I said good-bye to my work-team, whom I respected and thoroughly enjoyed working with, was that I would be jumping out of bed every morning ready to exercise, write, and dig into reclaiming the home space with more energy than I knew what to do with. Much to the contrary…I felt like a bear going into hibernation. I couldn’t get up in the morning – I was physically and mentally exhausted! But here I am today with new resolve to continue to find and create the best version of myself. It’s Spring in the Midwest – there is new life everywhere – what a great time to begin a new transition.
Lest you should think I have only been sleeping for the past 4 months – I have devoted some time to reading, exercising, making baby buntings and blankets for my 2 adorable great nieces and a blanket for a friend’s daughter and soon to be son-in-law, volunteering at my church, and of course, cleaning space in our home that hasn’t had much attention for the past 15 years. Every day I tell myself “don’t waste this precious time” and so I try to accomplish at least one thing I can say “done” to – even if it’s just one dresser drawer packed with memories.
Today, as we begin the Lenten Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil, I wanted to share a highlight of my 2016 Lenten journey which included reading What’s So Amazing About Grace by Phillip YanceyPhil Yancey - What's So Amazing About Grace(a recommendation from my book club friend Rita). Yancey says: “I never find forgiveness easy, and rarely do I find it completely satisfying. Nagging injustices remain, and the wounds still cause pain. I have to approach God again and again, yielding to him the residue of what I thought I had committed to him long ago. I do so because the Gospels make clear the connection: God forgives my debts as I forgive my debtors. The reverse is also true: Only by living in the stream of God’s grace will I find the strength to respond with grace toward others.” The stories Yancey uses throughout the book to illustrate the power of forgiveness and grace. It seems even more fitting today with our political world struggles to forgive with grace. Yancey ends his book with a very profound question: “What does a grace-full Christian look like?” It’s something I will keep working on for myself as I continue the journey to be the best version of myself – hopefully a grace filled forgiving person.
Peace, grace and a blessed Easter to all of you.