Thursday, September 10, 2009

Transitions

I've been thinking a lot about transitions lately. Seems everyone is posting about them in some way or another and I too am struggling with my own end-of-summer back-to-school blues. I'm actually excited for school to start (two down, one to go) and to finally get some time to think, exercise, organize, write. Instead of elation, though, I feel burdened. Three schools worth of forms and meetings, a computer that crashes twice a day, a tweaked shoulder, a needy preschooler, a dripping faucet, a half-dead frog (must buy worms tomorrow!), a sad weedy garden, and oh, a husband in Brazil for two weeks.

Then there are all the doctors' appointments that I shelved for the summer and will have to schedule for this fall. Two endocrinologists, three pediatricians, one orthopedic surgeon (or maybe two), a periodontist, a dentist, a radiologist, a psychiatrist, an ophthalmologist and a nephrologist.

There's also another transition going on -- one of hormonal changes, disrupted digestive systems, acne, thinning hair and weight gain. I keep thinking I am too young (or too old?) for this, but we all know what chronic stress does to the body.

None of it is earth-shattering. Little of it is new. But it's dragging on me like bowling balls in my pockets.

My sister-in-law is being ordained a Priest in the Episcopal Church in NYC this weekend. We were there in March for her ordination to Deacon, but are sadly missing this weekend's momentous event. I called her tonight, to wish her well, and to get the scoop on the final preparations. She's preparing her remarks for the post-ceremony brunch and mentioned that she's going to end with a prayer about transitions.

I'm going to have her send me that prayer. And then I'll post it here.

3 comments:

  1. I hear you and, actually, feel like I'm walking with you. I hope you manage to get rest and exercise squeezed into that schedule. And if you do, please let me know how you managed it! The transition speech sounds terrific -- I can't wait to hear it.

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  2. I always feel a sense of "Have to do..." come September. It sounds like you do too.

    I hope you can rest some and carve out some "me time".

    I'm looking forward to reading the prayer, too.

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  3. Catching up on your blogs, Mary, and enjoying them, as always. Transitions loom large in our family, since they're so challenging for the kids, and us, too, by extension....September is usually the most exhausting month of the year. Now that Micah is actually coping with preschool, I'm trying to reclaim a bit of time for myself, in between work hours. Let me know when you're free for a latte again!

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