I've been living.
Not that I didn't think about writing. I did. Once. Or twice.
I even started a post about being on bedrest for three summer months during my second pregnancy and how that bleeds into today. But I couldn't quite get it all down. That post still sits in my draft file.
Summer missions trips and educational training and visiting family and friends flowed into a fall so mild, so gentle that Pennsylvanians marveled at the warmth and beauty well into November.
One day late last month I needed air-conditioning as I ran errands; the next, wet snowflakes hit my face as I stepped out of school.
Two weeks later, we are swamped with snow here in northwest PA. Somehow, it felt like we went straight from summer to winter. .
And so, as we dig out from our latest winter storm, I give you "End of Summer," an essay my almost-preemie son (now 29 years old) posted on Facebook in August. It's belated, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was still worth sharing. These lessons suit any season.
The End of Summer
Reflecting on the last three months, something's felt different, even better than summers past. The hours were long, the days blurred together. Life was busy yet fulfilling. There were good things and hard things, and it was all so beautiful. The sun arrived earlier and stayed out later. I guess it's like that every year, but this time around, I actually noticed it.
New friendships were made; old friendships rekindled. Spontaneity ruled the day; contentment filled the night. Risks were taken; reward balanced loss. Many life lessons were experienced; three stood out from the rest.
Whatever happens, good.
I used to arrogantly say, "whatever happens, happens," as if complacency were a moral high ground in the face of adversity. I remember the day my mindset shifted, largely due to circumstances out of my control. Like a light switch going from off to on, the dark room of my mind was flooded with light. Every situation, humanly defined as bad, whether mild or severe, has some good to squeeze out of it. It's up to us to find that good, to learn and grow from it. If God is good, then bad never gets the final say.
Everyone has an element that reflects the best version of themselves.
Over the years, I've learned to keep people at arm's length. Whether by nature or nurture, I'm still figuring that out. By learning to let go of the fear of human rejection, I've felt less self-focused and am becoming more observant of how and why people are the way they are. Seeing people out of touch in one moment and on top of the world in another, the latter was always in a setting where they naturally thrived. We're all nuanced and complicated, but in that we all have so much to offer. Find your element, and the best version of yourself will reveal itself.
The best things in life come with time.
The phrase "patience is a virtue" is a truth I've hated since the days of naptime preceding playtime. I've never wanted to wait for anything I've deeply wanted. At times, my insatiable desire to get what I want has served me well. On other occasions it's caused harm and hurt to myself and others. In the waiting and longing of life's hopes and dreams, I've come to the conclusion that aged fine wine always tastes better than new cheap wine. Confident of this, the best is yet to come.
~ Josiah O'Boyle
@jozventure
