Elastic Hearts
I’ve started so many entries for this. Written the details of this adventure in my mind in great detail in the middle of the night. Somehow, it never seemed to be enough to convey the complex range of emotions and experiences. Things seeming too tender to put into words.
As we travel the multi-day journey to see our dear family and friends, I’m choosing to write “something” over “nothing,” and I hope you’ll forgive me for the delay.
Watching Aaron move through this semester toward his life purpose has never found me prouder to be his wife. A twenty year absence from formal academia brought challenges, but I can guarantee you, as one who witnessed his college career, that he is levels above in his prior student habits. The subject matter surely helps.
His chanting is God’s gift to us all, and his voice created spaces for prayer anywhere he was this semester. He’d be annoyed if I said much more. If you’ve heard Aaron’s Byzantine chant… you know.
My babies. This hasn’t been what one would call an “easy” experience for the girls, especially. They’ve had to do difficult things and make enormous life changes this semester. But, as we remind them, they are never alone. God has us in His hands. We are surrounded by His Mother and a host of heavenly angels. And we can do difficult things with great love.
To our surprise, our family isn’t the only one with older children. Teens the same age as ours with potential for more families to arrive next year. They celebrate birthdays together, have movie nights, convince the “Fun Aunt” (me) to take them to the mall /Manhattan, babysit all the toddlers, and travel for ordinations and church Feasts.
The boy is living his very best life at seminary. There are many boys his age for him to battle with sticks and also on Super Smash Bros. The kiddos his age live over in the Lakeside part of campus, so he escapes soon after school and chores time is finished. The walkie-talkies help a bit to keep track of him, but we plan to microchip him soon. We thank the residents of Lakeside for helping to raise our son and letting him eat all their snacks. We owe you.
I had many grand plans for homeschooling this semester that didn’t all come to fruition. God had plans for us to accept His Grace and Peace. All 3 have made amazing progress in math have been able to fill in some gaps. G has been working my through AP World History, AP Art History, and Physics steadily. J & O have worked some in chemistry, a tree study, and ancient history. They’ve all studied the saints, the Crees, and are working through learning about the Divine Liturgy. The part that brings me the most joy is seeing how they are becoming true lovers of books. They have time to read. I’ve let them choose a lot of their books for the semester, and they’ve made excellent choices. James is currently finishing the 5th Harry Potter, and Olivia is wrapping up the Percy Jackson series. G is determined to get through Brothers Karamozov before we get back from Christmas break. Did we do as much cooking, art, music, projects as I envisioned? Not officially. There’s always next semester. 😉
Me? I’m glad we have elastic hearts. Because mine is quite full. I’m so grateful for everything in our world.
Especially the people.
Before leaving, I had obstinately declared, “But I don’t WANT new people!” in a fearful moment when someone from my tribe told me I would find “my people” at seminary. Silly me.
From the literal moment we arrived on campus… we were supported. A new friend running in front of our car showing me where to go then guiding Aaron (in a U-Haul) by phone through Manhattan and the Bronx to our new home. The truck was unloaded in record time, and my new friends sustained us with Chick-Fil-A and kind words as we mourned seeing our familiar comfort objects in a brand new space for the first time in 20 years. God has always sent us who we need.
What beautiful friends we’ve met. People of a wide range of ages with wisdom, joy, and Christ in their hearts. A friend to book swap with. Someone to make witty comments about the absurdity of life. To bring you a pastry purely because you are raising teenage girls, and you deserve it. To gush about the beauty of autumn in New York. To discuss the complexities and depth of your Faith. Fellow makers who live the creative life. Someone to tell you you’re doing the best you can. Someone with just the spiritual words you need to hear. A glowing young mom-to-be who you need as a friend as much as she needs you. A kindred soul who gets your kaleidoscope squirrel brain. A 6 year-old pen pal. A tiny toddler bestie. A squishy baby who makes you feel blessed when she graces you with her grins.
I found them and more. They are written on my elastic heart which, turns out, has infinite space.
As we journey to our deeply cherished roots, I am grateful to God for these newly sprouted branches.
One semester down!
Love you all to pieces.
