A Light for My Path

January this year was a month of reminiscing for me. Especially about previous times when significant changes happened in my life early in the year.

I have lots of childhood memories, but I can’t recall any that made January particularly stand out. My first major life change in January occurred in 1979 when my newlywed husband and I packed up our old car to move halfway across the country from south Texas to Wyoming. Courtesy of the Air Force. My 19-year-old self had to grow up fast that far from my family in Tennessee.

Two years later I was nervous and excited to be expecting a baby in six months or so.

Fast forward 12 years to February 1993 and I was in Tampa, Florida and getting ready to start a new job at GTE (now Verizon). My wonderful colleagues there supported me when my mother died from breast cancer two years later in January of 1995.

The following new year I was house-hunting while my husband was busy traveling to Portugal and Venezuela with his job (also at GTE). I found the home we would live in for the next 24 years.

In both early 2007 and 2009 we were excitedly anticipating the birth of our first and second grandchild. Grandson number one was born in Jacksonville, just a few hours’ drive from our house. But, granddaughter number one was born in northern Virginia. There was a February blizzard that delayed my return flight home for several days. I got to spend a few extra days with the grands and my awesome work team held down the fort.

New Year’s Day 2014 found us moving secondhand furniture into our weekend River House. We met lots of wonderful neighbors at the annual NYD brunch. We met even more when we got the rental truck stuck in the ditch in the pouring rain. Completely blocking the road.

Three years later in early 2017 we were finalizing preparations for our younger daughter’s wedding. Just two short months later my awesome work team and our wonderful River House neighbors were supporting and comforting me as I finalized preparations for her memorial service.

Two years after Rachel died, I decided to retire after 26 years at GTE/Verizon. I had spent almost half my life employed there and working in the same office complex. Many colleagues had come and gone, but just as many had been there the whole time. Most were more than colleagues – they were friends – and a few were practically family. We had been through a lot together. But, the time felt right to leave. And, it meant that a year later my husband and I could sell our Tampa home and move to the river fulltime. Where we also have dear friends who are practically family.

We’ve been here fulltime four years now. And are experiencing yet another beginning-of-year milestone. My husband just retired on January 31^st. He has been with his employer 22 years. We have a new chapter in our life to write.

Although, we know it’s not really in our hands to write. As much of a planner as I am, I can’t control the future. I can make to-do lists and schedules and mark upcoming appointments on the calendar. But, I can’t really control what happens.

And, I don’t want to if I could. What would I have to reminisce about?

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Laura