I had an epiphany this morning at 5:00, but I can’t use “epiphany” because E was yesterday. I suppose I could have used “F is for five o’clock,” but the time isn’t as important as the content. I was awakened by the girl fussing (she got herself back to sleep), and I started to complain to myself that I was just barely going to fall back asleep before it would be time to get up and get the kids ready, then start on my day — same old, same old. That’s when it hit me — I chose this life.
Okay, that may be obvious to others. Epiphanies do tend to be personal, after all. Still, I’m going to explore what I mean.
I chose marriage and children. I chose work that I could do anywhere we lived because I didn’t have to look for a new employer. I chose to start telling the stories in my soul. And, if it comes right down to it, I choose to do our taxes because I’m a bit of a control freak.
Every part of the day before me is a direct consequence of something I chose, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m married to a wonderful man whom I love, we have incredible kids, and my work allows me to be who I am.
There are downsides — the only family here is the one my husband and I have made; our closest relatives are several states away. I don’t have any close friends where we live, though certainly part of that is that I’m not good at reaching out. With the Internet, though, I’m in touch with friends and family that I haven’t seen in decades, and I’ve made several excellent new friends through on-line communities (especially Forward Motion).
This is my life, and I’m grateful for it.
I have to remind myself that I chose my life, sometimes too. And that no matter what other life I could have picked, nothing is easy! And nothing would be as good as this =)
Happy F Day!
Happy F day to you, too! You’re so right — nothing is easy, but this is certainly worthwhile.
Embracing the power we possess to make decisions in our lives, and recognizing the cause and effect of those decisions is what defines, for me, a vibrancy of a life lived with intention. Great post with a wonderful message for us all.
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Thank you! And thanks for returning the visit. 🙂
There is no greater choice than family, in my humble opinion. Well said!
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Thank you, and thanks for stopping by!
The internet is great for connecting and reconnecting with family and friends you haven’t seen in a while. You should try Skype too if you don’t already! That’s how I talk to my parents in another province and my good friend in another country.
Yes, we do use Skype to keep in touch with our parents. It’s really great because they get to see the kids more often that way.
Yay! Choice was the message I tried to get across in almost every Someday Syndrome blog and I’ve noticed that it slips into my fiction, sometimes obviously and sometimes as a subtheme, but it’s the strongest word in any language. And true freedom means being able to make choices.
Choice is a powerful theme, but I don’t think it’s one I explore in my fiction per se. The characters always have to make choices, but more because that’s how we get a story — if nothing changes, there is no story. I might have to blog about themes for “T.” 🙂
We make choices every day but they’re often so subtle we don’t even think about it. Thanks for making me stop and think!
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
yes! Your life is all a result of choices, as is most people’s. I have to remind myself of that on my few free evenings out— if I didn’t have kids, sure I could be out there having a grand old time, but I wouldn’t have MY KIDS. Who I love to death. I also would be working a full time regular job in all likelyhood which means no time to explore all the places I explore during the day with my girls– places which are probably much more positive and full of happiness than nights out drinking ;).
Full time regular job — ugh! Hooray for your kids and appreciating your choices!