A new season

As we roll through spring and start preparing for a busy summer, we are faced with some different changes. We have gone through many seasons of life, having kids, moving, friendships, homeschooling and many more. Not long ago we were the ones moving away from family and friends. It was hard, but we knew, with much praying and discussion, that God was leading us to where we are now. Having to tell people that we were leaving may have been the most difficult part, as we didn't want to hurt anyone, and possibly avoiding my own feelings. Staying in touch can be hard, we are all busy and life is going by whether we like it or not. But I cherish my old friendships whether we chat often or not.

Over the last couple of years we have established a life in our new town with new people. The kids have formed strong friendships and whether I can admit it to myself or not, I have also grown fond of many new friendships as well. We now find ourselves on the flip side of moving and have many friends taking their next step in life. Somehow we have multiple family friends moving within a couple months of each other. As excited and supportive as I am for our friends I can't help but think how different life will be once again. Another new season. The kids will say goodbye to friends for the second time. They will be sad but move on, it will be a big change. Our summers will look much different as we spend a lot of our summers with these friends. Living in biking distance to friends and horseback had made it easy for us to do things. Soon enough our church community will also be different. 

I have focused most of my attention on my kids losing their friends. But it has really been hitting me that I am, once again losing some of my small, but meaningful friendship circle as well. Yes, we will keep in touch. But it will be different. These women have grown to be a big part of my life and I will forever be grateful for the love and support they have shown me. My texting friendship group will grow once again! Being a stay at home, homeschooling mom can get quite lonely. Having friends I can at least text with has really helped keep me going. A text from a friend can be just what I need in a moment of frustration to keep my spirits up. Some of my text friends are also at home with the kids so calling each other isn't quite feasible at this stage of life, so we manage through text. It may take a week to have a conversation at times, getting distracted or busy and forgetting to reply, but we all know how life is and it works out just fine. My kids know that if my phone rings it's Sitti (my mom) or spam. Talking with my mom on the phone is a blessing but can also be a challenge, but I don't feel as bad if her Grandkids interrupt.

It won't be long before we are in a new season. We never know where our lives will take us either. As Kevin's old college professor said, “God doesn't move parked cars.” I should know by now that once we get comfortable in something, God throws us another curveball to keep us on our toes. But for now, we will embrace our new normal and make the best of what we have. Horseback riding will look much different, park dates won't be the same, after mass won't be quite what we have grown used to. But we cherish the time we had with our people and still have with the ones that are here. And my friends always know, they can text me anytime.