Endings and Beginnings

My parents moved probably during the worst possible time. They both had health challenges, the economy has been stinking, and my life here has been pulling me in many directions. But there is one thing I have learned....

God's plans hardly ever coincide with my plans....and His are always so much better than whatever I could do.

So...I am glad to say that there is closure happening in every area regarding the move.

I was relieved to finally be able to make my last trip home from PA in mid-September. I did not like leaving mom in the midst of boxes. It broke my heart not to be able to spend more time with her helping her get settled. No one likes to live in the midst of boxes!!! My family is glad to have me here for good and we were able to hunker down into some semblance of school and I am seeing things get accomplished. My life feels so much less stressful now knowing I will only need to go back if there are medical issues going on or for my dear daddy's 80th birthday.

My mother presently has only ONE box left to unpack. That, friends, is really amazing!! I left their place so cluttered with boxes and things needing attention that I was sure the unpacking process would take at least three months. If it had, my mom would have been quite frustrated. I do not take after my mother, but perhaps that is due to the number of children I have had. When they were young, I did NOT decorate. And still to this day, I am NOT Martha Stewart. I don't like living in stark surroundings and I'd like my home less cluttered than it is, but....my mom is the quintessential decorator. Ask anyone who has ever been to her home. It is not only spotless and clean, but always decorated for the season. I was pleased to return home with quite a number of candles that mom had never burned. I do love candles and we will be burning them here. But I was quite amused when she told me that when they had their welcome visit, they were gently reminded that they cannot burn any candles. They reminded her of this when they saw the number of candles she had on display. I chuckled and told her that she should have told them how OLD all of those candles were. So yes, I am sure my mother will be very pleased to have her home in order so far before Christmas and her decorating.

And finally, their home for the last 20 or so years is set to close within the next few weeks!! I am crossing my fingers, praying and hoping that nothing crazy will happen. It is amazing!! Yes, during this economy, they have a buyer. They put their house on the market in Sept I think. Their buyer could have closed in October, so this sale was fast. They were only the second serious party. The first one could not qualify for financing. I am sure that my parents will be so relieved to have this burden off of their minds. I spoke to my mother briefly about the putting the house on the market at such a bad time because someone had mentioned their concerns. Mom simply said, "I am asking God to sell it and I know he will!!" Sure enough, He has. They did compromise a little on price, but they were firm with what they would and would not do. I am so glad they won't have to go through the winter with it on the market. I haven't told her this, but one day shortly before she told me they were under contract, I felt a strong urge to pray that their house would sell that day. It was puzzling, but indeed, I prayed urgently for the sale of their house. And then she called.... Their Realtor felt they could very likely sell in the fall, but if they went past the fall without a buyer, they would not have a sale until at least the spring. I am so grateful it sold so soon and that they won't have to worry about an empty house and heating, etc. So soon, their little house will only be one of those many places we drive by and remember fondly. I know they are a little sad to say goodbye, but she told me that already, their place feels like home.

I look forward to hearing about all of the new friends that they are making. She tells me that everyone is so friendly. They all know mom and dad are new because there isn't a huge influx of people and they get familiar with the faces that they see around all the time. She's making her little house a home for her and dad. I cannot wait to see what it looks like. She is enjoying the changing colors of the beautiful tree outside their living room window. The birds sit in the branches feasting on the things growing on it.

And even though I have spent so much time up there this year, I long to go visit for fun. I want to see what she's done and hear about all that they are doing. It is so good to know that they have good people around them. It is extremely difficult being so far away. But I know their new place so well and I know they will be well cared for for years to come. Oh....and she is going to start taking some Yoga!! I am so happy that she's going to do that. I told her that I thought it would be a wonderful thing to try to help her balance. And....they take their health considerations into effect so they teach them how to compromise if an injury prevents them. Yeah for mom!!! I know it is hard to begin a new life, but I think they are adjusting well and feeling at home.

So, you see, God does know what He's doing. I thought we'd never make it to this point. There were times when I was sure dad would need more care before they got settled and that would complicate things. There were nights I fretted and so many many nights that I cried over all of it. But, I think through the difficulty of it, I have grown. And through the difficulty of it, my mom has grown as well. It is great to see her become more confident. I know she has some goals that she wanted to achieve so that if something happens with dad, she will be in a good place and I think she is accomplishing some of those things. God is amazing to take situations that we think are difficult or even impossible and to gently show us what HIS plans are. So, in my eyes, the timing just might be awful, but God knows otherwise!!