New Beginnings

I woke up this morning on the first day of Spring Break 2017 to snow. Snow dusting our beautiful pink peach-tree blossoms, our bright yellow daffodils, and the newly green grass. I was really looking forward to opening up the windows today and letting in the warm fresh air as I tackled my spring cleaning….however the weather had other plans. We’ve been having such nice weather–upwards of 75 degrees some days even, that I was beginning to get comfortable with the idea that winter was over. And then this snow happened….leaving me crossing my fingers that despite the beautiful icy crystals covering the pink blossoms…we’ll still get some juicy peaches this summer.

The more I thought about it this morning, the snow on these beautiful flowers seems like a fitting analogy for my life right now. Yesterday was the snowfall on my peach blossoms…because while choking back tears, I read a letter to my dear class to tell them that I won’t be returning next year to be their teacher.

You see…I’ve always had a very exact plan for my life—until now that is. I always knew I was going to be a teacher since I was a child. Before I graduated from college, I already had plans to go to graduate school in Chicago. Before I graduated with my Master’s, I already had a job lined up at the school where I did my teaching residency. I’ve never been without a job since that first summer I life-guarded at the Riviera Club when I was 16, and that stability has always been so comfortable for me. And now…it feels weird to be in this limbo where I don’t have a plan for where I’m going exactly once August rolls around.

But there’s something beautiful about this new and scary adventure…just like the snow on the peach blossoms. I get to take the time to learn how to be a mom. I get to spend precious time with my husband and my baby boy. I get to use the extra time to be more creative and explore some ventures and ideas that I’ve had bubbling in my brain. It will give me more time to spend with family back home…and a chance to rejuvenate myself–because as much as I’ve enjoyed teaching these last 5 years…the truth is—it’s tiring work.

I may not know exactly what’s coming… I may not have a plan set in stone right now…but for the first time in a really long time…I’m okay with that. I’m okay with trusting God, and relying on him. I’m okay with the snow on our peach blossoms.