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D'Ann Mateer

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Embracing the Chaos

Home » Family » Embracing the Chaos

In: Family, Life, Reading, Uncategorized on: May 13, 2014

Come August, we’ll move our daughter to Philadelphia to pursue her master’s degree. Come next May, our son will graduate from college and be on to either a job or more schooling. And while our “baby” will be around some for a couple of summers after that, it is not lost on me that this will almost certainly be the last time the five of us will live together under one roof. And so I’ve chosen to embrace the chaos.

That isn’t my norm. I generally fight the chaos of summer. And it has been four years since our summer chaos has included all three kids–or rather, young adults! But I want this summer to end without regrets. I want to feel like I’ve finished well with my children, especially since I didn’t start well–and the middle was quite iffy, too. But God has been good He’s bestowed grace. He’s worked redemption. I look at my amazing, grownup kids and feel only gratitude that my mistakes, my weaknesses, my sins haven’t turned them from following Jesus, scarred them beyond repair, or caused them to shun a real relationship with me. They are people I genuinely enjoy spending time with. There is no better gift than that.

So while I’ll be continue to be online during the next few months, if I’m suddenly silent, you’ll know why: I’m seizing the moment, spending time with my kids, solidifying those relationships to the point that they’ll stay strong through distance and time as my kids pursue their own dreams and adventures, as they find their mates and establish families of their own. We’re ready to finally, finally have a truly empty nest, but we don’t want to rush ahead and miss this last little bit.

 

Tagged: children, home, motherhood, Uncategorized

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becky

    May 14, 2014 at 8:59 am

    I love your attitude. Hugs and prayers. And see you soon!

    Reply
    • Anne

      May 14, 2014 at 2:25 pm

      Can’t wait to see you!!!!!

      Reply
  2. Marbeth

    May 14, 2014 at 9:58 am

    Enjoy your summer to the fullest. I had the same situation last year. Do yourself a favor and let your default response to your children’s requests and suggestions be yes. They’ll be amazed how much fun you’ll have. Keep embracing the chaos and you’ll discover it makes a strange kind of sense.

    Reply
    • Anne

      May 14, 2014 at 2:25 pm

      Thank you for the encouragement, Marbeth! I needed to hear that “embracing the chaos” would be worth it in the end. 🙂

      Reply

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