Kurt and I celebrated 23 years of marriage this month.
Generally on our anniversary, we're at the ocean and hunting art galleries for a painting to buy as an anniversary gift to each other.
This year we did all that, and a card arrived to.
He said, "I know we usually don't do the card thing. But read this one."
It says,
"I love anticipating the days ahead of us, wondering what we'll find in each other, in ourselves, before another year has slipped away ...and, best of all, I love being with you where we are today, together writing the pages we'll remember tomorrow."
When I read this on July 11th, it had great meaning. Kurt and I had finally made the leap and made an offer on a second home. One dedicated to "making memories" with our kids -- ages 5, 8 and 15. We close on the house on July 27th.
More than a few times in the process of looking for this property Kurt would say, "You know I'll be 54 this year, I'm looking for a place where I can ..." While he never said the word "retire" straight out, it was clear he had the concepts of "relax more, enjoy my family more, breathe" on his mind. He's been working for the same company (his family's business, and now his own) essentially since he came of age. He's ready to change the pace, and start enjoying more of what life has to offer. And so am I!
In the weekends we took with the kids to look for this new house, a bonding began to happen among them that wasn't there before. Sure, they had always played with each other, but this was different. They began to "intertwine." They would wrap arms and legs around one another and cuddle on couches, in car seats, in hotel rooms, and back at our house. They would giggle more. Splash more. Hug more.
We're giddy about this new chapter of life to come.
-------- Talk Back ----------
So you likely like/love our job, your profession, and your family. When is the right time to say,
"Time to rethink the balance of attention?"
"Time to rethink saving for some time in the future, and think 'life?'"
For Kurt & I, the time is now. Sophie, while 15, still wants to be with us. Nothing high maintenance about her. Margo and Oscar, of course, love to be with the family more than anything. They refer to the concept of "weekends" as "family days" and count down each week to when "family days" begin.
My mom keeps telling me that "the 40's" are the best years -- the time at the prime of your life when you have it all together. I think she means confidence, health, and the centered knowing of why you are on this Earth. She has insisted, for as long as I can remember, that I change gears by the time I'm 50, because, she says, "When you're over 50, you just won't have the energy you have in your 40's, and your kids need some of that too."
So here goes, the next life chapter begins ...
Polly Pearson
-- http://www.pollypearson.com
@PollyPearson on Twitter
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