Waiting to Be Inspired

It’s been four years, ten months, and six days since my last entry. I could ask, ‘Where did the time go?” but there’s no need to. I know exactly where the time went and what happened. I can still feel the effects of the events that transpired during this time.

There were profound losses; first my father, mother and twin sister, then my mentor and, most recently, my childhood friend.

There were milestones; the girls leaving for college and Neal deciding when to retire. I found myself unable to do anything other than chop wood, carry water … good old Van the man has nothing on me. I suspended my coaching practice and got a part-time job. I needed a break. Badly.

The girls have officially entered their senior year in college. They’re pretty much in control of their lives. Neal is two years away from retirement and I catch myself thinking and dreaming about all sorts of things.

I’m reflecting on the ways these last five years have altered me. There are days when I’m not sure of who I am.  Often, I have this certainty that I’m on my way to becoming the person I couldn’t even dream of being ten, twenty, thirty years ago.

Once again, I’m faced with a whole range of possibilities that can only be available to me at this stage of my life. The choices I’m about to entertain would never have appeared while wearing my “old pair of shoes” or the various hats I’ve been donning these past thirty years.

My role and priorities have changed. I’m not focused on adjusting to a new country and culture or my role as wife and mother. I’m not in corporate anymore nor am I the fledgling entrepreneur trying to figure out how to succeed in an ever-changing business landscape.

People have come and gone from my life. Each of them left a mark. I see myself more clearly these days. The dark, the light, and in between, my illusions, my doubts, the stories I’ve been part of. I miss writing. I miss doing the things I loved before the marathon of goodbyes began. I know I can’t go back in time but I can do what I can, where I stand today.

So, here we are, four years, ten months, and six days later, I’m sitting down to write again. Where am I going with this? I’m not sure but I don’t need to know today.

One Comment

  • Tara McPadden

    Yota,
    You are A wonderful writer! Your words seem to flow out effortlessly and are so poetically fluid and accessible. Your empathy for others and our world always shines through no matter what theme you are exploring. There is also a strength in your writing. An almost no holes barred type of strength.
    I also know that in person you are a warm, witty, tough and intelligent communicator! You give me hope and inspiration always, in this sometimes very challenging journey we call Life….. ❤❤

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