It’s the beginning of the end…the end of summer that is. It’s the end of lazy days and sleeping in. It’s the end of long vacations, the sound of the waves, and the smell of suntan lotion. It’s the end of going out to breakfast with the kids and hours spent playing with my puppy. It’s the end of a clean house, manageable laundry, and not being sure what day it is. I know the end of summer has come when I go buy my planner for the upcoming year. I love the crisp, clean pages that will soon be colorfully marked with school schedules, meetings, sporting events, practices, appointments, and celebrations.
But many endings can be sad. At my age, I see my peers dealing with some painful endings. The end of a marriage…the end of children living at home. ..the end of a career…the end of strong, healthy parents…the end of a friendship.
But as we know, all endings are new beginnings in disguise.
I find some comfort in the idea that behind every painful ending, there is something new and promising waiting for us. I am intrigued by what might be waiting ahead if I just have the courage to keep walking. The end of a marriage might be the beginning of finding your best friend. The end of children living at home might be an exciting new chapter for you and your spouse. The end of a career might open the door for you to follow your true passion. The end of healthy parents might give way to a deeper relationship with them as the roles begin to reverse and the end of a friendship could lead the way to finding a new friend who understands you like no other.
Although the end of summer is a bit melancholy for me, it is also the beginning of many new things in my life as well. It’s the start of a new school year with a new principal, new expectations, and new students. It’s the opportunity to serve as an
advisor for Kappa Delta sorority at Virginia Tech as soon as the students arrive back. It’s the inauguration of being a parent to two kids in high school and the excitement of new seasons for all their sports. It’s the establishment of my own journey to healthier living and a more peaceful state of mind and it’s the commencement of new challenges and opportunities for personal growth.
I don’t like change (see my post about change) so letting go of the old to make room for the new has always been challenging and frightening for me. I'm trying not to focus on the sad endings and scary beginnings though, but to embrace all the life that comes in between. How have you dealt with a painful ending or scary beginning in your life? Have you made it through and are on the other side now? How did it feel?
But many endings can be sad. At my age, I see my peers dealing with some painful endings. The end of a marriage…the end of children living at home. ..the end of a career…the end of strong, healthy parents…the end of a friendship.
But as we know, all endings are new beginnings in disguise.
I find some comfort in the idea that behind every painful ending, there is something new and promising waiting for us. I am intrigued by what might be waiting ahead if I just have the courage to keep walking. The end of a marriage might be the beginning of finding your best friend. The end of children living at home might be an exciting new chapter for you and your spouse. The end of a career might open the door for you to follow your true passion. The end of healthy parents might give way to a deeper relationship with them as the roles begin to reverse and the end of a friendship could lead the way to finding a new friend who understands you like no other.
Although the end of summer is a bit melancholy for me, it is also the beginning of many new things in my life as well. It’s the start of a new school year with a new principal, new expectations, and new students. It’s the opportunity to serve as an
advisor for Kappa Delta sorority at Virginia Tech as soon as the students arrive back. It’s the inauguration of being a parent to two kids in high school and the excitement of new seasons for all their sports. It’s the establishment of my own journey to healthier living and a more peaceful state of mind and it’s the commencement of new challenges and opportunities for personal growth.
I don’t like change (see my post about change) so letting go of the old to make room for the new has always been challenging and frightening for me. I'm trying not to focus on the sad endings and scary beginnings though, but to embrace all the life that comes in between. How have you dealt with a painful ending or scary beginning in your life? Have you made it through and are on the other side now? How did it feel?
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