Let’s face it, so much of what happens to us in life is beyond our control. We can do our best to set ourselves up for a productive, meaningful, and successful life, but there will be times when curveballs will find us and alter the course of our well-planned trajectory. I know this to be a fact because I have witnessed it many times in my own life! The 2020 pandemic altered the lives of millions of people. Everyone has their own story of tragedy, triumph, and resilience. Here is mine.
After my husband’s company closed in August of 2020 due to financial issues as a result of the pandemic, he suddenly found himself without a job for the first time since we married decades ago. In the months and years that have followed he has been longing for a new adventure, a new chapter, and a new challenge. As we discussed options and explored the possibilities, the plan that seemed to make his eyes sparkle the brightest was a move to the Texas hill country. He has always had a passion to move west from our hometown of Houston and take in those spectacular sunsets in the hills. The more we brainstormed this plan, the more invested we became in making this adventure a reality, with the bonus being— we have adult children and their families living in the hill country cities of Austin and San Antonio.
Fast forward to April of this year, we listed our home for sale and it sold quickly in 12 days. Now the wheels were in motion and we found a new place to call home in San Marcos. It is a vibrant, active, “55 and Up Community” called Kissing Tree. We moved in June and are getting settled now. My husband and I are excited to be starting life in a new community where people move to make friends and be active and connected. My work as an author, keynote speaker, friendship expert, and therapist will continue from my new location. I am very impressed by the warmth, and welcoming spirit of our new community in Kissing Tree over the past few weeks, and am confident the best is yet to come!
Both of us have had to confront our vulnerabilities with leaving what is known, what is safe, and what is comfortable to move towards the unknown on a road we have not yet traveled. Were there sleepless nights? Yes. Were there days of second-guessing if we had made the right choice? Yes. Days with lots of anxiety? Absolutely! But, we knew in order to get to the adventure on the other side, we had to admit we were entering the vulnerability zone and we had to ride out the storm of emotions. In the end, we both knew God was opening one door after another for us, and it was our choice whether we walked through those doors to the new beginnings on the other side.
I have learned a lot about myself and us as a couple through the past few years since the pandemic, especially the past few months. These are my takeaways:
- None of us like to feel vulnerable and out of control in our lives, but if we resist allowing this to happen, we sacrifice the opportunity for growth and finding new dreams.
- Embracing the unknown can be exhilarating and lead to a plethora of new horizons.
- Through the tears of change and saying “good-bye” to the familiar—people, places and traditions, comes the birth of a new life and expanding our world view.
*** I am still very much a “work in progress” but I have been focusing on the positive and seizing this opportunity to be introspective. As I continue to learn, to confront my vulnerabilities, and push towards growth, I will be sharing my struggles and victories and my thoughts on this journey we call life in my blogs– so stay tuned. My hope is that by sharing myself in this raw and authentic way, others may find some nuggets of truth to apply in their own day-to-day living. I am so grateful to our friends and family who have reached out and supported us through this journey and offered words of encouragement to cheer us on!
Have a fabulous Summer and seize the day!
Deborah
