I remember it like it was yesterday. Don and I sitting at a picnic table in a campground after taking a drive through the mountains. We sat there eating our lunch, enjoying the scenery, and chatting about nothing special. Then the subject turned to having babies, to starting a family.
After being married for nearly seven years, we were excited to realize that we both were ready for the next stage in our life. We even started dreaming about what our kids would look like and what our life would look like with kids in it. It was pure speculation because we didn't have a clue as to what all of that would look like.
It seems like yesterday, but it was 21 years ago.
My first born will be 20 years old next month.
As we sat there that day, we could never have imagined how the next 20 years would have gone. The ups and the downs, the joys and the sorrows, the challenges, and the rewards. And in the same way, as I sit here today, I cannot really imagine what the next 20 years will look like. But I can speculate.
We are entering the next stage of our life under the term empty-nesters. No kids! That is... no kids in the house. Of course, we will still have kids and for the next few years, I'm assuming that they will still need their parents in one form or another. And I'm hoping that within the next 20 years, there will be grandchildren for me to lavish with love and attention.
Since we won't be tied down to the house or kids, we want to travel a bit more. Not only around the country but within our own state. We've lived here seventeen years and there are many places we still haven't visited.
I've been thinking about taking on a part-time job, and that would certainly change the way my life looks. Don may change his job and we're open to moving some place new. We're retiring from Youth Ministry here in a few months so our service to God and our church will look different and to tell you the truth, I don't have a clue of what that might look like. It's a little bit scary, but also, exciting.
So, as with the last 20 years, I'm sure the next 20 years will be full of changes, yet full of life. I look forward to them and see them as an adventure. The next 20 years are not to be looked at as a destination, but merely a part of my journey.
This post was written for Scribbit's March's Write-Away Contest with the prompt, The Next 20 Years.
11 comments:
Sounds lovely. My girls are only two, but I'm already planning my "Next 20". It will include an RV and travel around Canada and the USA. I can't wait...goofy, huh?
Great read. None of us know what the next 20 years will hold but one thing for sure. I know who holds me!!!!
Susan
We really are at that point in our lives. Changes come that we have no choice but to embace and enjoy.
I pray that the Lord brings you and Don a renewed love of just being together. I know Dave and I have begun to really feel that.
Maybe someday we will be exchanging pictures of our grandkids. Won't that be fun?
Been there done that. . . LOVE IT!!
Enjoy the journey:)
Deb.
Great job! Sounds like a great hope for the next phase!
I post mine for the contest tonight...been working on it too ;)
Loved this!
Enjoyed your reflection. Steve expressed similar thoughts the other day.
I remember holding Dani as a tiny bundle of sweetness and wondering about her life. What a delight she is at "almost" 20.
What a well said and thoughtful article. When we walk with God, every season of life seems to have surprises and new blessings. You have big changes happening all at once this time. I'm excited to hear about the next chapter in your life.
Nancy
Well I at least have to say congratulations to the both of you for at least 27 years of marriage (if my math is correct) that's really something to celebrate, I hope you have 20 more years of happiness together too!
In 20 years my kids will be 29, 27,
and 25. Hard to imagine right now!Just last weekend Jay and I talked about what it would be like to have our kids leaving the house already. Several of our classmates are facing this reality in the next year or two. I can't even imagine. I am happy with my timing in my family. I will be ready to move on when the empty nest time comes though. Jay and I will be close to 50, good timing if you ask me!
I enjoyed reading your thoughts about the next 20 years - I actually haven't thought about it - but my kids would be almost 26, 23 and 21 - YIKES! Makes me want to relish in this time even more because I know those years will go so fast!
Great post!
in one respect, it's hard to think about 20 years from now. But when I think about 20 years ago, it doesn't seem that long. Time is such a weird thing!
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