Chrysalis - A New Life

The word chrysalis brings to mind a safe, warm, cozy place...When I think of it, I envision a lovely butterfly and the promise of something beautiful. There are so many beautiful things in our world: sunsets, the night sky, waterfalls, rivers, spring flowers, fall leaves, and New Life.

My husband and I are blessed with two grown children and several grandchildren, and this summer we will welcome yet another life into our family. Our daughter and her husband are expecting their first child, and this little one has special meaning to me. Many years ago, we began the adoption process to add a baby girl to our family of three. Our son had just turned eight, and it seemed the perfect time to plunge ahead. We were fortunate to know two couples who had been through the adoption process and so they gave us confidence and valuable information.

After our home study, complete with references and photo albums, was submitted to Holt International Children's Services, the wait began. God must have known we were more than ready because only four months later we received the news our daughter had been born and was waiting for us in Inchon, South Korea. Today, future parents have ultrasound images to cherish. We had two black and white photos of our beautiful baby girl. As a proud "expectant" mother, I showed them to family and friends and counted the weeks to her homecoming.

We were told our daughter would arrive the end of January, but as plans do, they changed. The phone call came right after New Year's Day 1983 and we headed to the airport a few days later. It all seems so long ago, but as July 26, 2016 approaches, the same emotions sweep over me. As a grandmother, my role is entirely different, but I hope to have an impact on her precious life and build memories to last a lifetime. As with the first embrace with our daughter so many years ago, I can't wait to see my daughter's baby, to stroke her velvet-soft face, to look into her eyes, and pull her close to my heart. Welcome home, little angel.

Change - It's good even when it hurts.

Gosh, it's been thirteen months since I've updated my blog. Briefly, it's been one heck of a year. But I'm back on track and anticipate the coming year with the growth, challenges, and surprises it will bring. Our family dynamics have changed with the maturing of our three grandsons, and I am grateful for the love and joy they bring to our lives.

My writing has changed direction a bit, as I am focused on my first novel, as well as a fictional short story for an anthology which will be published sometime next year. But my first love is writing Memoir. Joining a critique group a few months ago has been challenging. It helps me see what I need to work on, throw out, and improve, but the reinforcement, encouragement, and camaraderie is invaluable. If you are a writer, I encourage you to join a writers' support group or critique group that fits your needs. We need to leave our solitary offices and meet regularly with other writers.

Have a wonderful fall and coming winter season  Talk to you soon. I promise. . .

Fall is in the Air

No matter where I live or visit, the fall season has always been my favorite time of year. Except for September 1988 when our family was transferred to eastern Washington state. No one in our family was happy at the idea of being uprooted, and I was sure I'd never be happy again. I fought the move with every fiber of my being, but I thank God that He knew what was best for us. Personally, I have been blessed beyond belief and I find myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow in more ways than I can count.

It's funny, but just when circumstances seem to take a turn for the worse and options run out, that's when fate, God, destiny, whatever you choose to call it, steps in to make things right.

2008 has been, perhaps, the happiest time of my life in recent years. I know just as the tides ebb and flow, so will good fortune, but this year I relish every day, every event, every moment, and every breath I take.