Mister Twister

These past two months have been a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, the death of a close family member on one hand, a two week long escape with my husband on the other. There have been more mundane, yet emotional twists and turns too. My high school daughter sat on a plane on the tarmac in Guatemala for hours while she missed her connecting flights and her chance to attend her own high school graduation the next morning seemed to slip away. Fortunately, the flight eventually took off, she was able to slide into one of the last 2 seats back that night, and even caught a few hours of sleep before donning her cap and gown.  My older daughter graduated from college the same month my youngest finished high school. Like a rider on the jerky old wooden "Mister Twister" ride at our local amusement park,  my emotions jerk back and forth from effervescent joy over the great accomplishments of my daughters, to a feeling of loss because of the inevitable changes ahead as they each begin a new stage of life farther away.

My step kids take turns swinging, without warning, from friendly to hostile and back again. My level of frustration climbs and falls wildly along with them. I feel a bit shaky after these crazy weeks, the way I feel when I get off a roller coaster somewhat exhilarated, but also a bit dizzy and nauseous.

Thank you for your patience as I have been away living my crazy life instead of thinking and writing about it. I hope to post on this blog biweekly through the rest of the summer. 

For now, I am here, firmly buckled into my seat in life, the twistiest, wildest, ride ever.

"Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting, 'Wow! What a ride! Thank You, Lord!'" --Beth Moore