Several pages being turned and new chapters beginning here in the Klassen household lately.
Hubby, on a past trip to England.
For example, last week I heard my husband murmur, “Time to turn the page,” referring to some changes he’s been making in his diet and exercise routine to improve his health and his physique. (He’s determined to look good in the Mr. Darcy costume I’m buying for him to wear during the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England this September.) 🙂 Go, honey, go!
Our eldest son has been turning pages lately, too, and will soon begin a big new chapter in his life. He recently graduated from high school and just began a tough summer roofing job to earn some money. (Oh, man, you should have seen him when he came home tonight from his long, first day. Dirty head-to-toe and exhausted. Went to bed at 7:30!) This fall, he plans to move 5 hours away from us to attend college in South Dakota. In the meantime, he seems to be right on schedule with what I hear teenagers typically do—pulling away and doing all he can to make it easier for us to let him go. 😉 Ahh… Letting go. It’s hard. It’s necessary. It’s time.
“Little” Bro & the Grad
Our younger son still has two more years of high school. He told me a few days ago that he’s determined to do better in school next year, among other things. I have seen encouraging changes in him already. He’s growing up! He has also just interviewed and received an offer for his first job, and will begin working at a nearby grocery store soon. I hope learning to work with a team, and for a manager, and cheerfully helping customers will be a good experience for him in many ways. At the same time, he’ll been gone from home a lot more, and have his own money, and maybe soon be driving. . . Eek. More changes. More growing. More letting go.
As for me, it’s time to turn the page as well. Edits for my December release (Book One in my first series, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill) have been done for several weeks. In the meantime I’ve spent far too much time not writing, but organizing and pulling off a grad 
party, and researching and planning our upcoming trip to England. Now, it’s (past) time to turn the page. I’d like to follow hubby’s lead and make my diet healthier and get in better shape. (All this sitting at the computer and checking Facebook— I mean, doing research—is hard on a body.) It’s also time to literally start a new chapter and turn my attention to writing Book Two in the series. Summer is always a difficult time for me to concentrate, but with both boys away working more this year, hopefully it will be easier. I am looking forward to attending a writing retreat here in Minnesota with a group of authors later this week. No doubt I’ll spend time socializing and brainstorming, but I hope to get a few new chapters written as well.
What’s ahead in your summer calendar? Turning any pages, or beginning any new chapters? Whatever is in store for you, I wish you a productive, lovely summer. I wish one for me as well.
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Oh, Julie. This made me sort of appreciate now, even with all its inconveniences. My boys are three years and ten months. While they are certainly a lot of work, I am not ready to let them go just yet. We have been going through a hard time, for various reasons. But this was a good reminder that it is just a season. Blink, and they will be moving on, too. Many blessings to you!
Thanks, Courtney. You are in a physically exhausting stage of motherhood. Hang in there. It’s gets easier before it gets harder. 🙂
Hi! We lived in Hastings, MN for 22 years but since that time I am divorced and remarried living in FL. My ex-husband actually wanted out of the marriage and suggested that I marry the man that I am married to now. I should thank him. I now have a godly man that points me to Christ everyday and we have opportunities to do things together at church. Although I feel this was a good decision, my two sons and their wives have kicked us (their sister & my entire family) out of their lives. We were not invited to my son’s wedding! The other son does try to stay in touch but they told me they cannot forgive me. Would Christ do that? They know my previous marriage was not Christ honoring but because I made a vow to God, I should of stayed. Anyway, my husband has told me over and over to let go, let God take care of this issue and turn the page! Forget the past and try to live for Christ the best I can every day. So difficult to do but found this article to be encouraging. Keep calm and turn the page. Thank you! 😎
Oh, my heart aches for you, Sherri. Praying for God’s grace in the situation and reconciliation for your family. In the meantime, glad you found the post encouraging. Take care.
I have turned many of the pages you mentioned. Dieting, trying to get into shape, watching my daughter go off to college and even the retirement page. If we all live long enough, we will write many stories (figuratively) and turn many pages in our “seasons of life”. I wish you many more stories to write literally so that we readers can turn them for our enjoyment!
Blessings!!
Connie
So well said, Connie. The pages I’ve “written” these last few weeks haven’t been good ones, but hoping for more worthwhile chapters ahead–literally and figuratively!
Lots of pages being turned with the Klassens, indeed! I hope all the pages turn to bring beautiful new chapters. 🙂
Happy summer!
For your keyboard to God’s ear! 🙂 Thanks, Becky. I appreciate you, Ms. Encourager!
Hi Julie, lots of transitions for you and your family this summer….but it sounds like very good things. My husband and I have been working on good health habits together this last year. It’s so helpful to do it together! I’m looking forward to reading your next book! Enjoy the summer!!
Hi Carrie. Good point. I was just saying to hubby last night that we should start going to the gym together. Thanks for the encouragement and for being such a loyal and kind commenter!
From the sound of it we are turning the pages of the same book.
Graduates, new drivers, new jobs, independent choices, trying to write books under one roof.
I look forward to watching your vacation unfold.
Ah yes, you can relate indeed. And likely even bigger changes ahead for us both, no doubt. Hold on and hold on to God, sister! 🙂
We made a big change in our lives this May when we downsized and moved from our home of 33 years to a 2 bedroom apartment in a senior citizen community. We had lived in a 13 room house and decided to make life easier by downsizing to something smaller. We’ve been here for a month now and so far we are enjoying it.
That is a BIG change. Glad to hear it’s going well, Shirley.