Another Season of Life

 Does anyone feel that time is slipping past a little faster? Perhaps it is just a part of being older to notice. Today my focus has moved to planning a peaceful yet delightful Advent and Christmas. It has been a year of injuries and projects, so we're hoping to change December's pace in a mindful manner. If you read along with my thoughts, I hope to share my hearts pondering of what this new season of life can look like.

 Our children are still young and spread out, the seven of them ages 5-21, and they are always entering a new phase of life with troubles and wonder of that age. Our oldest is a few states away making a life of her own, and that has stretched my heartstrings further than I thought they were capable. Another young adult has emerged in our home, and he's not as sure about what he wants. Every experience has shown me new insight into the great love, devotion and mercy of God the Father, the parent part. I've been humbled and learned a new kind of trust in God's care and providence. There's a tiny bit of peace with letting go and letting God take it from here. My teenagers have strong calls to the religious life at this time, and they have blessed us with their desires for regular family prayer time and attending weekday Masses. I only wish I hadn't taken so long to add that to our days. While the older children are mostly independent, the three youngest gift me with the joy of being needed. There is a constant flow of curiosity, creativity and discovery in our home. Homeschooling has brought us 17.5 years of wonder, learning alongside my children. There are 12.5 years remaining until the last graduates. More than half way there, woohoo! Homemaking and homeschooling consume much of my day. I certainly parent them differently that the first batch, but my enjoyment of witnessing their life is just as fresh as motherhood has always been for me. 

 I am in the middle of my 40s, with a lot of lessons for growing in virtue experienced but still not mastered. It seems the reason I need a long life. This season of life has been exhausting, more than anticipated. My husband and I are do-it-yourselfers with many projects, so we've created much of the work that wears us out. The temptation to hand it all over to other sources has been strong, but God urges us on in our endeavors. Our bodies have taken a few extra hits of injury and illness this year, so we've had to cut back as well as push through much because life keeps coming full speed. My only rest is found in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There is nothing more relaxing and healing than being in the presence of God, in prayer, in Adoration, at Mass, and ministering to others. I've had some great conversations with Jesus and Mary in my living room while folding my family's laundry. 

 So how do I find a way to shift the movement in our home to low gear for a whole month? Well, for as long as I can remember, I love creating forms. So for a start, I scribble and type my way to an organized calendar plan. All the well loved traditions are saved in documents and bins to be reused each year. You can see our 2023 plans on the Homegrown Catholics page. You could look at the list and think that I've only added more to do that reduce it. However, we will be cutting back on a few subjects and have reduced away from home classes, so it's a replacement.

 I'll report back in the new year how it went, but I imagine a time where the world slows down and I have the time to connect with our children, visit friends, and wrap up spiritual gifts for Jesus. I will not feel rushed to the Christmas finish line. Rather, Christmas will be the beginning of a new season, fresh and full of possibility and hope. A new liturgical year of days lived not survived, gently and prayerfully planned out for the most meaningful experiences.