Quiet

The most common question I am asked these days is "What's it like to be an empty nester?" At a few months in, I am still figuring that out. My best answer for now is "quiet". That word has many different connotations. Some may immediately interpret quiet as a sad or lonely state of being. For me, it has mostly been a good quiet.

Thinking of quiet as a noun yields this definition:
absence of noise or bustle; silence; calm.

In the absence of noise and bustle you see and hear things differently.

Quiet is hearing the church bells playing at noon each day and wondering how long I haven't been hearing them.
Quiet is taking a daily walk through nature and remembering that seasons smell different.
Quiet is patient. 
Quiet is sunrises and sunsets. 
Quiet is deep conversations. 
Quiet is cleaning rooms and closets, organizing, and taking stock of possessions.
Quiet is sorting the meaningful from the meaningless.  
Quiet is prayer and thanksgiving.
Quiet is remembering who I thought I'd be.
Quiet is reflecting on who I am.

I don't know what's next for me, I truly don't. Clarity will come, opportunities will present themselves, decisions will be made. But for now, I will continue to embrace the quiet.

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog "Musings from the Midlife"! Not since my early years have I experienced such a time of change- emotionally, spiritually, and even physically.  Each day seems to bring a new situation that requires me to accept large scale disruptions to my "normal" life. BIG birthdays, children graduating and moving away, aging and ailing parents, changing friendships, shifting personal responsibilities, fluctuating hormones, and the occasional health issue.  Although most of these changes sound negative, there are also positives that come from this time.  Increased time for reflection, the ability to pursue only those activities that are meaningful, the freedom to have a more flexible schedule, the joy that comes from seeing your children grow into who they are meant to be, the deepening love and appreciation for your spouse, and the growing gratitude for friends that support you no matter what.
I know I am not alone in feeling a little unsure and unsettled by what is to come in this midlife and beyond, but also a little excited.  I hope you will join me as I reflect on this new time of life and try to make sense of it all.