GRACE

Adjustments, changes, rolling with the punches-- I am usually pretty good at doing that- seems like that is a big part of retirement- guess really it is a big part of life-- it has been for me!!

I have reinvented myself before-but in the beginning it is always a little scary for me or maybe unsettling is more the word!!  

I had to totally figure out who I was at the age of  50-- At that time of my life I lost my identity or at least I thought I had- was no longer a wife (after many years), all of my children were grown and leaving home (yes like they are supposed to), I was quitting a job I had had for 12 years,  and I was getting ready to make  a move geographically (back to the city where I had grown up) alone.  Yikes!! 

And then, and then wonderful doors began to open -- My youngest son decided to move with me and go to college in the town where I was moving, my job offered me the opportunity to do exactly what I was doing for them in the office from my new home, and my family, my family stepped up and provided me with - well how do I put this- because help is not a big enough word-- provided me with a home of my own, money,  a truck for the move, and themselves in person to help me load up, drive 400 miles, and unload into my new home!!  First lesson I learned was the meaning  grace. "Something I could never earn"  

So how can I apply this first lesson learned 14 years ago to what I am going through today ?  Hmmm- I have really been mulling this through in my mind as I was doing my cardio at the gym this morning-- how can I apply that lesson while adjusting to this change(you know the retirement thing)?   Grace-  Well once again- as I noted in my first post -- a  part time job plopped in my lap( actually met all the requirements I had set in my mind as to what it should look like)-- hmm,  my wonderful husband told me don't worry about money, and encourages me everyday and reminds me that " I can do this"-- hmm, my family tells me regularly how much they love me and how proud they are of me hmm-  once again the lesson of grace "Something I could never earn"  

So question to you-- where has grace shown up in your life!!  Where have you been given something that you could never earn?  Just curious? 

Well today is a non-work day for me.  Been to the gym for my 3 month evaluation to check for improvement- lost 12 pounds (whoo-hoo) this was not grace I think I earned this one and was given a rating of "superb" on my cardio fitness evaluation -- Goodness I have never been superb at anything- guess there is always a first time.   But just like a second grader I brought this piece of paper home and stuck it straight to the refrigerator door!  SUPERB !!   

Tomorrow at my new JOB-- I open at 6- with a smile and new appreciation of how hard those ladies that wait on you at the convenience stores work-- Be sure and tell the next one that waits on you - Thank You!!

So maybe my next post will be about the second lesson that I learned when I had to reinvent myself in my next blog post -- or who knows something remarkably spectacular may happen and I may have to post about that - come back and see !!