Joanna has her license and a truck, which leaves only Baby Krista and she even has her permit. Today I took Joanna to open a checking account and get a debit card. Krista is right behind her. They both have jobs lined up for next year. It is difficult to believe that all my girls are nearly grown.
Andrea will attend Flagler College in the fall and Briana will be at Liberty University.
I turned 50! I decided this would be a good time to detox my life and quit dwelling on my past failures. It has been challenging, but I think I have been moderately successful. With fewer years ahead than behind, I decided I would be more selective with whom and for what I use my time.
My church is still a place where I find fellowship and food. Our family is blessed to worship with such a great family.
I continue to run. I have connected with a running group, the Absentees. This is a good group, as I am absent more than I am present. The members are diverse and very interesting. All are much better runners than I, but I glean from their experience. I am impressed with their tenacity and faithfulness to the sport. The fact that we run is binding in itself. I hope that I too have left something with my new friends.
This summer I have been volunteering at the Freedom Farm in their organic garden. I think I do more listening than productive gardening, but I have enjoyed this. The men there, with God's help are beating their addictions. God's Word and hard work are their new obsessions. I am glad I can be their friend.
As my girls grow into young ladies, I am realizing that letting go is difficult. Actually letting go and finding and empty space is more difficult. As their wings take them from my nest, I have to let God protect them. He illustrated this very effectively this past week. Andrea had an accident and we were 600 miles away. I couldn't solve this problem. But God did, better than I could. He is always there and as they have long ago released my hand, they are always in God's hand.
As long as he is alive, Jimmy will be here. I am very grateful for that. It seems like we have always had kids. As the girls fly, I will continue to find ways to help others, make new friends and enjoy the rest of my time with my Baby.
