When did we become the “hub”?
February 9, 2009 | Nurturing Family
There have been glaring signs around me lately that Richard and I are entering a different phase of life. In some ways, I’m ready. In others, I’m continually surprised.
“How old do you feel?” I asked Richard as we drove to Tulsa on Saturday.
“Hmm. Thirty-five,” he said.
“Same here! Although I feel more thirty-sevenish,” I said, grinning.
We feel wiser, more experienced. Don’t feel the need for others’ approval. Settled. We both agreed that this part of getting older was amazing. But physically and mentally we both feel young.
The surprise is when we see ourselves through someone else’s eyes. Richard and I both love youth ministry (http://realteenfaith.com), and hanging out with 20-somethings, but also people our own age. Sometimes I look at other 49-year-olds and I see the signs of age creeping in. That means it is happening to us, too. We just don’t feel it, so we don’t see it. But place me in a room of 20-somethings and I know exactly how old I am. ♥
So, it’s bittersweet. This weekend my son and DIL made an offer on a house. That’s a huge step. Whether they get it or not, they are moving toward each other saying “we’re family”.
Another giant step back (in a good way) for Richard and I as we watch all three of our children form that precious bond with their spouses. We want that. We love watching it. But I still remember Melissa’s arms around my neck, Leslie’s climbing up on the couch to snuggle in my arms, and Ryan leaning over the table to give mom a kiss.
In a way that’s bittersweet. They still love us. In fact, they still love hanging out with us, and for that I’m grateful. But we are now the “hub”. The place they all swarm to at holidays and special events. But their real home is each other.
What does that mean for Richard and I? Maybe the same thing it does for them. We have the freedom to run after our dreams, our new goals, and each other.
And now that I think about it like that, being the hub seems like a pretty sweet deal.
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My kids aren’t on their own yet, but I can relate to feeling younger than you are. I TOTALLY don’t feel old enough to have one going to college in two years. (Obviously, as I’m still using the word “totally!”)
Maybe it’s genetic: my mom just turned 80 and didn’t want to celebrate it because in her mind, she’s only 50!
So, what dreams will you and Richard be chasing now?
February 9th, 2009 at 12:22 pmHi, Suzie,
You probably don’t remember me from She Speaks, but I read your devo tonight that was p31 recently and just wanted to send a note and say “thank you” for reminding me that getting where God wants me to go requires “getting out of the boat.”
I love you and your ministry.
Will you be at She Speaks again this summer? Hope so!
God bless you.
Love you,
February 10th, 2009 at 12:05 amTammy
Did you have your photo airbrushed like the models on the magazines? 49 sounds older than you look. Your post reminds me the years are ticking away that my children are in my nest.b
February 11th, 2009 at 12:18 amThanks Barbara. No. No airbrushing. But thank you. : )
February 11th, 2009 at 8:43 am