A Year of Change And Possibilities: May, June, July, August 2014

Posted on December 29, 2014 by

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

Senior Ball

L pole vault

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

Cameron at Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz beach

Lily at Santa Cruz beach.

I experienced a true ’empty nest’ that terrified me. So I traveled – without kids.

Deschutes River

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.

IMG_7371

broken leg in Oregon

Moving Lily into her Salt Lake City dorm room

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

Past And Present

A Month of Quiet

Letter To My College Bound Daughter

Today, I Love You

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.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
TwitterFacebookLinkedInPinterestGoogle PlusYelp

Comments: 4

    • Jennifer Wolfe

      January 2, 2015

      Transformation CAN be beautiful…thank you for reminding me. Sending you best wishes for 2015!

      Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      December 31, 2014

      Thank you, Nicole! Yes, it has been a busy, strange year – some of it good, some of it challenging. Looking forward to 2015!

      Reply
  • Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    CommentLuv badge