Tuesday, May 10, 2011

One year later....

Tomorrow, May 11, I will be a blogger for one year. My sister Jean had been blogging for several years and I always thought I wanted to have a blog someday too. But I was working a more than full-time job which took up all my spare time. Life consisted of work, work, work, a little family and a little church. That was it.

All that changed on May 10, 2010. On that day I gave my resignation letter to HR and ended my employment. I knew it was the right thing to do. But it was a very scary place to be. For the next several months I worked through doubts, pain, regrets. Regrets from putting work ahead of family way too often for so many years, for putting my health at risk, for allowing my spiritual growth to be put on hold.... for what?  And, the confidence I once felt in my skills went south in a hurry. That surprised me more than anything. (I will add that I am confident that I did make a difference in the lives of the elderly during all those years of employment. I hated to leave the people I loved. )

 But walking away brought  life in a way I had not experienced before and could not even imagine. Stress went way down. I suddenly had time to help people. I had time for Bible Study. I had time to be still and know God. I joined the worship team at church (singing, leading the congregation in worship... we don't have a choir), I was able to become more involved in Women's ministry, I became a regular babysitter for Aidan and Zoe, I was able to lose some weight, I had time to do some deep cleaning around the house that I hadn't had time to do for years (not done yet!), and I had the time I needed to start a blog!

Blogging has been wonderful. So far, my blog focus has been on my family. I love my family. It continues to surprise me that anyone would want to read my words. I have met the most wonderful people through blogging! I consider them my friends. Every time a new person leaves a comment, it feels like Christmas. It really does!

There is still so much I don't know how to do in blogging. For now, I'm content to change the background colors and header pics as a way to show some creativity. I will learn at my own pace....stress is not part of my life anymore =)

Thanks to all for reading my posts during this past year. Again, I don't fully understand why you do, but I feel honored that you do! I'll continue to write about our family and post pictures of my grands.  I may share a bit about things I'm struggling with (maybe). But for the most part, even though we face life with it's ups and downs just like everyone else, it's my desire for readers to leave with warm fuzzies after reading my written words.

Grateful thoughts, a heart full of warmth.....that's what I'm basking in this morning =)

"The world would be so lonely, in sunny hours or gray. Without the gift of friendship, to help us every day."
- Hilda Brett Farr

5 comments:

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Congrats on one year . . . I am just a half year ahead of you.

I read your blog because I enjoy your sweet spirit that serves your family and your church with such joy.

So glad you made that decision to stop working.

Fondly,
Glenda

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on one year of blogging! It has been a real pleasure getting to know you and your family through blogging. God has blessed us all with wonderful, supportive friends.

Theresa said...

Oh my dear friend, you are a part of my day AND I am SO thankful to have met you! Not sure how it happened, who led us to each other but our days are a lot alike, GREAT! Retirement is wonderful, blogging is my daily journal... some days are more exciting than others but I can always look back and see what I did or didn't do on any given day!

I appreciate your friendship and your loving comments! BIG HUGS and Happy ON YEAR Bloggerversary:)

Jean said...

It's hard to believe that all that is a year ago already!! God has been faithful. I'm so glad you finally have had time to enjoy life and to blog about it.

Barb said...

I absolutely enjoy reading about your family and all the ups and downs of your life. Keep it up! And pictures are always a bonus!