My Empty Nest is So Fucking Crowded, or Why My Sunday Night Writing Is Now A Monday Morning Writing

So I wake up this morning, as I have done the last few Mondays, and my first thought is oh shit, I forgot to post my Sunday night writing. Then I got all guilty feeling and started to worry that you'all will stop reading - because consistency is key when writing a blog. But then this morning, as I was walking with my most beautiful and smart and amazing and still very much a puppy Doberman, I had this epiphany. 

And so now my Sunday night writing is a Monday morning writing. 

When I first started writing this blog life was calm. And quiet. And uneventful. My days rolled on, one after the other in that peaceful way that allows for rest and reflection. And most wonderfully, a time to myself. And my writing grew out of that. A way to put into words the thoughts that grew in my heart. And share them so to connect with others, too.

And then my kids came home. A most incredible thing. All three of my adult children plus a daughter to be. And my quiet and calm life became not so calm and quiet. Which fills my heart as it fills my house. And the days are now about navigating six adults in one home plus that amazing still a puppy Doberman. And so Sunday nights are no longer that end of the weekend time to sit on the couch and give thanks for the day and the week and my life. 

Nope.

It's now a time to catch up and exchange stories and laugh and love. Which means it's not time to write. And that's ok. Because that is what life is about. Bending and mending with the way the path takes you. And so, whereas my path, once softly lit and quiet, is now a concert of six voices (and a bark or two).

What is so important, that I think is easy to forget, is that our plans are often supposed to change. And that the true test of success is not that we necessarily do exactly as we say, accomplish everything we set out to do, achieve all our goals. No. The true test of success is that we adapt to our surroundings, recognize opportunities, change directions and embrace what is happening right now.

And what that is for me is the gift of my children. On Sunday nights. And every other day.