Spring Break!

I'm not sure if I'm more excited about spring break as a teacher than I was as a student, but I was so needing this break. This winter has been cold and windy. It's difficult to enjoy any outside time when you are freezing your face off! I tried walking some but my inner wimp took over many days. So when these glorious 9 days finally arrived, I was overjoyed. Along with the days off came milder weather and less wind! Time for some down time!

Now, for some, "down time" may mean relaxing on the beach or lazing at home. For me, my "down time" involved a major overhaul of my flower beds. I decided that it needed to be done and since I had time, why not now? My body was screaming, "Woman, don't you know how old you are?" and questioning my sanity at every step.

What I realized was that sprucing up the yard, getting outside, and accomplishing something on my own was very therapeutic. It lightened my mood and gave me a sense of purpose. It helped me see that I can do something on my own. I was also too busy and exhausted to think too hard about my situation or wallow in self pity.

This was also the first year I didn't do something with Maddy for break. Usually we go camping, but we have also just gone fishing, taken day trips, or taken the girls somewhere for a few days. There have been very few times that we didn't do something. The last time was when he had his gall bladder out, but even then I was with him, so to speak. Instead, this year the four of us went to Oklahoma City for an overnight trip. The OKC Thunder was retiring Nick Collison's jersey and since I'm his number one fan I HAD to go! We made a day of it by going to the zoo and the firefighter museum as well. It was great for us to be together and spend time doing something not related to a memorial service.

As I get ready to begin the last nine weeks of school I know that it will be bittersweet. This was my last spring break as a teacher. I am counting down for the last day of school when I can start my retirement! I don't have a solid plan yet, but I have lots that I can do. I know that I can shed some of my stress and shift a little of the grieving process.

Taking some time to just be still is God's design for us. Although I spent most of my days staying busy, I still had lots of time to think and talk to God while swinging that shovel. I'm not going to say I have new answers or a greater sense of peace, but I did work some things out in my mind that will help in the long run. I will just keep my eyes on the path before me until I have finished the race God has laid out for me.