Fresh Perspective

  Sight is often how we choose to move forward or not.  Literally, if we can see with light, then we will walk through a room or a path. If there is no light, then often we won’t move as freely.  We experience darkness often in Lebanon, as the electricity cuts are frequent, and the winter days are short.  Darkness is somewhat paralyzing as we will stand and wait a few minutes to see if the electricity will come back on or not.  If it returns, then life proceeds as normal, with vision that we take for granted.  If the power stays off, and the darkness lingers, then we must recalculate how to do life without sight. Expatriate living equals many friends transitioning in and out of our lives. Recently, a friend was processing with me their upcoming move to a post in another foreign country in the 10-40 window. She expressed how always in the past when they accepted a new assignment it was with “sight, that good things were in store for her family.” However, this time she couldn’t

Today is a “ hang out the laundry ” type of day. I’m sure you have had these days.  They are hard days, but important.  Necessary to realign the emotions in a woman’s heart.  Put another load in the machine, grab a drink and come process with me. After all, this parenting of teens and young adult thing is not for women who can’t face hard things.  We just put Mr. 17 and Mr. 19 on an airplane a few hours ago. 6,366 miles will mess with any Mommy heart.  10 miles can mess with a mother, never mind 6,366. The reality is, it’s not about the number.  It’s about the process. The highs, the lows. The holiday cheer, the memories made, the New Year celebrating, the boredom despite the parents’ best efforts, the reminder that Lego’s and story books are not needed anymore. And sometimes it is tempting to think, we are not needed anymore either .  Adventures, independence, friends, tearing the apron strings completely off, learning, and testing are what they need now. I get it. I understa