“Seasons change” — Future Islands says. And boy if that isn’t true these days.
The kids have all flown the coop. I brushed my teeth, came down the stairs, and they were gone. I felt like it happened that fast. I miss them dearly, but I am so very proud of all three of them.
Riley moved to Boston in September. She is in smack dab in the middle of the city, living with a college friend from Denison, surrounded by other college friends, and enjoying her life just the way she should at this age. After a year in Chattanooga, teaching and coaching, she started a new job in Boston as an environmental specialist and will surely make a difference in this world.
Audrey graduated early from UC last December and is now a behavior specialist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She is already making a difference in the lives of very young children that are suffering from mental illnesses. It’s a challenging role, but Audrey is uniquely cut out for it. Still enjoying the campus life and living with three male friends, her adventures are just beginning.
And Mae, always the one with a little bit of a different journey, opted out of college and decided to go full-time at a local vet clinic in Westerville. She is so beloved by her coworkers and her patients. She takes such good care of those dogs, as if each one was her own. We knew that dogs had a special place in her life; they helped prop her up when she was sick. And now, it seems they will always be a part of her life. She’s living in Westerville sharing an apartment with a high school friend and enjoying all the fun nightly activities that 19-year-olds do.
I’m so grateful that all my kids are able to use their love and passion in their jobs. These young women are amazing.
The pandemic brought a job change. If I look back I can see that I was hungry for something more, and the pandemic pushed me. It also didn’t leave me much choice. Now, I consult for companies across the country helping them become better businesses — more impactful, purpose-driven better businesses. I love what I do. And I’m teaching at Ohio State. This is my third year and I hope to do it for twenty more. I’m satisfied and fulfilled in my work. And I don’t take that for granted.
At home, I spent a long time trying to fix something that was broken. It took me a long, long time to realize that it couldn’t be done. After finally letting it go, I experienced a relief that told me it was the right decision.
I was looking forward to life as a single woman in her late forties — fully empowered. Then I met Roy and my world became clear. We met unexpectedly and after we had both recently left unfulfilling and unrealized relationships. Suddenly every cheesy rom-com seemed honest and not ridiculous. I said things out loud that I’m sure I’d heard Molly Ringwald say 30 years ago.
Life with him is like nothing I have ever known. I didn’t know relationships could be like this. I didn’t know life could be like this. We fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. He is my perfect match. My soulmate. And if you know me at all you know these are not the words that generally come out of my mouth. I have never felt the kind of love that he gives me and that I feel for him. If I think on it too long, I get sad that I haven’t had him my whole life. That I spent so much of my life trying to make it work with others when there was just no way I could’ve had this with any other. Roy and I were circling each other for years, unaware that the other existed, waiting for the time to be right. I’ll be forever grateful that the universe folded us together.
With all the kids gone and on the cusp of a new life, I wasn’t sure why I would stay in Westerville. So I sold the house and rented a little bungalow in German Village right behind The Book Loft. I couldn’t love it more. I must’ve donated 17 truckloads of stuff to Goodwill in those last few days of moving. I realized I need very few things these days. And yet my life is fuller than it has ever been.
It’s been a whirlwind. Apologies if I have been out of touch. But I have my feet back under me. I’m happier than I’ve ever been and I’m ready for the next beautiful journey.
