linen button-down shirt
Linen Button-Down Shirt – What I Really Wore
September 6, 2016
white pants year round
Wear White Pants Year Round + Featured Looks From MRS #12
September 13, 2016
linen button-down shirt
Linen Button-Down Shirt – What I Really Wore
September 6, 2016
white pants year round
Wear White Pants Year Round + Featured Looks From MRS #12
September 13, 2016
grateful for 49 years

Here I am…today I launched my 49th year. I have one more year till 50. I blew out the candles and suddenly I’m looking at one short year before I reach yet another age milestone.

Most years of my 40’s passed by with little thought…except for 43. I had a short case of the blues that year because I realized that I was fully entrenched in a new decade, which meant no turning back. Other than that, I’ve been too busy to consider much else in the last nine years.

I guess the last year of my 40’s and a few major changes that have occurred in my life make me more reflective. Of course, the biggest change is that I am now an empty nester. After spending two decades steering my two kids through life, I find myself right back where I started in my early twenties when it was just my husband and me.

My husband and I have always enjoyed each other’s company, so I don’t find that aspect difficult to navigate, but the whole “no kids” part is a little more tricky. It’s not just that they’re gone, but so is the built-in life that comes with being a parent…no games, plays, fund raisers or support meetings. One minute you have more than you can handle, then next thing you know…

But then, there’s also the immense pride I feel when watching my emerging adults making good life decisions or when listening to them discuss their views on meaningful life issues. There’s nothing like seeing the fruit from decades of mindful parenting.

With all these conflicting emotions, one emotion tops the list…gratefulness.

I Am Grateful For 49 Years

  • Life is full of new seasons and challenges, so I never have a chance to get bored.
  • I still have the same loving husband I pledged my love to 27 years ago.
  • Everything on my body is still in working order.
  • I know where my kids are and they answer when I call.
  • I have decades of life experiences to learn and grow from.
  • Painful times make the good times so much sweeter.
  • I am held firmly in God’s hand.

I think I’ll keep this emotion firmly in my sights. That way, everything else I’m feeling can be filtered through that lens. It’s amazing how well that brightens my outlook.

How about you? Do you have a life situation that would be better viewed through the lens of gratefulness? Give it a try and it just might give you a new perspective.

Featured Faves From Last Week

This week, I am featuring two excellent posts to help us find emotional balance and wholeness. Then, a style inspired post on one of my favorite fashion prints.

Heartful Habits – Accepting The Paradox For A Full Life

accepting the paradox

Maison de Cinq – Houndstooth

Houndstooth

Create With Joy – Hope Prevails By Dr. Michelle Bengston:  Book Review

Hope Prevails Book Review

 

Enjoy this week’s Thursday Favorite Things!

Living It, Shellie

 

 

All of the Faves are pinned to my Featured Faves Pinterest Board!


Welcome to Thursday Favorite Things! Join us every week as we party and share at the best link party in blog land!

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6 Comments

  1. Happy belated Birthday my sweet friend!!
    Sending you happy weekend hugs! xo

  2. Sheila Irwin says:

    Thanks so much for the feature Shellie! I so appreciate it!

    Happy Weekend!

    Sheila
    http://www.maisondecinq.blogspot.com

  3. Happy Birthday – life sounds fab! 🙂
    Thanks for picking Hope Prevails as one of your faves this week!