Oh, the spring and summer months, so simultaneously anticipated and dreaded. Months and years of preparation came to a head, as my children and I were thrust into turbulent change.
Lily turned 18 and graduated from high school; we saw joyful high school traditions and the rewards of hard work on the snow and the pole vault.
Senior Ball
Lily setting her high school record in women’s pole vaulting.
At the shore, we celebrated endings and beginnings of next chapters.
Cameron at Santa Cruz
Lily at Santa Cruz beach.
I experienced a true ’empty nest’ that terrified me. So I traveled – without kids.
Deschutes River
And in one of the most spectacularly horrible Augusts in recent memory, life turned completely and inexplicably upside down as dreams were dashed for one, opened for another.
broken leg in Oregon
Moving Lily into her Salt Lake City dorm room
This quote, by William Stafford, reflected this tumultuous time precisely:
“There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost. Tragedies happen; people get hurt or die; and you suffer and get old. Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding. You don’t ever let go of the thread.”
Through it all, I tried to keep writing, to reflect the upheaval; as my posts were sporadic and at times, many far too difficult to write in the moment. Some of my favorite pieces from May, June, July and August were:
Every Day Is Mother’s Day For Me
Letter To My College Bound Daughter
The theme of change and possibilities culminated in the fall and winter…more in my next post.
Jennifer Wolfe
Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.
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