This picture is of a simple bunch of daffodils in a simple glass of water. BUT for me it’s so much more! Maybe as I share this story someone else may need a simple reminder like I did that it’s all going to be okay. Let me back up and share some details leading up to this moment and why I’ve been MIA in posting lately.
Do you have a focus word for each year? I have for over 20 years and it always has a scripture to support that word. But when 2020 ended and 2021 began I didn’t even look for a word after such a hellish year. However, after a few days into 2021 it all just started pointing in one direction when signs and confirmations began to emerge and become clearer.
My word of the year: RESTART
Meaning: A new start or beginning
Scripture to back it up: Isaiah 43:19 “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
This year mine is definitely RESTART which simply means, to start over; a new beginning. I have come to understand that it’s ok to simply RESTART as often as you need in whatever area of your life you need. So this year we did just that and are RESTARTING in a major way.
During the last 12 years of living in Texas my husband and I have watched our adult kids all migrated back to Michigan over the last few years building their own lives. We felt tugs on our heart strings to being closer to them. We started to prepare for a shift in our lives not knowing exact details, but then 2020 hit presenting itself as a major challenge to only see them a couple of times during the pandemic causing doubts in our minds. But also gave us the confirmation push that we needed to make some changes. In the midst of what seemed darkness and uncertainty emerged a glimmer of hope with all the unanswered questions, we had we looked at our life scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Thus began the challenging process of preparing to RESTART our lives. As parents you’ll do anything for your children when they say, “actions speak louder than words” that statement has turned into reality for us taking on a whole new level of meaning, because we have learned that the saying, “distance makes the heart grow fonder” is NOT true. We tell our kids and grandbabies “LOVE you more than Texas” mostly being silly, but if you really know us then you know our love of being Texans is bigger than Texas yet loving them is beyond immeasurable. As much as we LOVE living in Texas and being Texans (which we always will be at heart), our LOVE for our kids and grandkids is greater (well, who are we kidding our grandchildren;) ) We did just that as the plans for our lives have lined up for us as we are leaning not on our own understanding and “pulled up the tent stakes” drove 1400 miles and made the transition to move across country to be closer to them. Although it was bittersweet to leave Texas, “LOVE you more than Texas” has a whole new meaning as we look forward to special memories and new adventures!
However, the move has been a bit challenging to say the least. Our movers are a nightmare story, I got a terribly sick with a sinus infection, searching, finding and starting a new job and the list goes on and on…BUT as I said, we came here with a greater purpose as we willingly and purposefully set out to RESTART just to be closer to our children and grandchildren. We have discovered that even in the craziest moments of this move it has been wonderful being so close to them all. Whether it is for spending time for a simple walk to the ice cream shop or dinner at our house or having our oldest grandson for a whole day of Gigi and Papa time it was a wonderful day filled with exactly what our restart is all about making moments count.
What does that have to do with daffodils? Well let me share that this moment will stick out in my memory as complete confirmation that this was the right restart move. Being closer to our kids we decided on a random week night that we wanted to drive to see our grandsons. As we pulled up to the house we saw our grandson running outside bare foot in the rain with a huge sly grin on his face. He was clearly up to something. When we came in he had this bouquet of daffodils in hand and in his silly shy voice said, “these are for you Gigi”. Such a simple gesture from a 4 year old will forever have a great impact on my heart. As I proudly took them home, all I had to put them in was the plastic glass in this picture, because my vases either were broken by the movers or haven’t arrived yet.
When I was preparing this post I looked up the meaning of a daffodil and this is what it said; “The daffodil symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings. It became associated with new beginnings (and the coming of spring) because it is one of the first perennials to bloom after the winter frost.”
So you see that simple glass of daffodils picked by my grandson has more meaning than his sweet little act of kindness ever could understand. It was a reminder that I need to inhale, exhale and restart as often as needed because life is measured in moments that make your heart smile.
I encourage you to take that first step in whatever area that you need to RESTART as often as needed it’ll be worth it the end!
The Rhoades for Wellness 