Twenty years ago! Yikes! Pictured above is me with my Hubby and children in 1990. Well, first of all, I suppose that I actually thought that my hairdo was becoming at the time. Heaven's, I hope I did, surely I would not have otherwise had such a "do." Looks just like a mushroom sitting on top of my heard. ~double chuckle~ Aside of that, Hubby and I neither one had one grey hair and I was not coloring my hair at that time. What does that mean? Guess it means that today we are 20 years older, and Hubby is completely grey and I have a really good hairdresser! The picture below was taken this past Christmas. WOW!
Now, on a more serious note.........We lived in the very same house that we live in today. My husband continues with the same job that he had at that time and we were parents to an 11 year old daughter and a 14 year old son. We were in the middle of making a decision regarding our children's education that was very tough at the time. They were attending a private school here in our city but we were feeling that perhaps we should move them to a private christian school in a nearby city. I well remember the late night discussions that Hubby and I had and the prayers we prayed seeking God's direction in the matter. We ultimately moved them and knew instantly that we had made the right decision. They went on to graduate from that school.
I had been overseeing the care of my paternal Grandparents (they were in a nursing home here) for about 18 months, 20 years ago. Each week brought new challenges and responsibilities regarding their care. Little did I know at that time that this would be an 11 year long commitment. I am a little amazed looking back that I handled it as well as I did. But, somehow they were just a part of each week and I have mostly only fond memories of those years of overseeing their care.
Our daughter was diagnosed with a serious kidney issue and had to have major kidney surgery in the fall of 1990. The Doctors had told us that she might loose one of her kidneys in the process and we were most anxious as they wheeled her off to surgery. The Lord was gracious and she had a complete recovery with no problems and had complete use of both of her kidneys and has never had another problem. That same surgery today is performed through a laproscope and there is little to no down time. WOW! what advances we've seen in the medical field in the last 20 years.
Hubby and I were just doing our best to keep our pre-teen daughter and teenage son with a focus on God and His will for their lives. We did lots and lots as a family unit and were always blessed that they never minded being with us and most often even considered us to be "pretty fun parents." They were involved in the Youth Ministry at our local church and we were always ready to help with their activities and trips as needed. I cannot say enough about how important I feel a thriving Youth Ministry is to a teenager.
How is my life different today? Oh, my.........there really isn't any comparison. The children grew up, went off to college, married and have now blessed us with two Grandchildren. So, our nest was emptied, and while there was a sadness that went along with it, there was also a feeling of relief. We were entering a new season of our lives and we looked forward to what the Lord had in store. Both Hubby and I lost our Mothers in that time frame and that definitely left a void in our lives that will never be filled by anyone else.
I can't really say that my life is any different than I thought it would be. I don't know that I really thought about the future all that much at that particular time. But, let me assure you, I do now. I often think not just about the next 20 years, but the next 10. Not with worry, because I know that whatever comes our way that the Lord will give us the strength to face it, just as He has in the past. Praise God for that assurance!
Let me close with one last picture and one last laugh!
Mid-October in Florida
7 hours ago