Life is broken up into stories. I have pages I don't want to revisit and entire chapters that I will return to and settle in for an afternoon of reminiscing.
Too often as a child my future was told as one story. A common story, one that I saw each evening on the television, read in books and watched in my own household. The beginning was my childhood, the middle was my education and career, the end was the happily ever after, the partner, the children.
And then the story ended, there was never a mention of what came next. Happy family, happy career, happy ending.
Midlife crisis anyone?
There needs to be another chapter, there has to be more to the story.
I'm starting to craft mine into a rough draft now. Ideas are suggested and I pencil them in.
"We should go and work in New York for twelve months when the kids are grown" consider it penciled.
"We could always go back to the States and do a short contract" noted.
G's rough draft has images of Black Angus Beef, small properties and a house that is both simple but big enough to sleep a truck load of visitors.
These notes, go into the next chapter. The one where G and I return to our former state and begin again as a duo.
This chapter provides the twist. The main characters are smarter, she's learnt to listen a little more, he's not in such a hurry. They will have the same burning desire to discover, but there will be a different context and setting. There are no strollers or Chicken Little backpacks, they will travel lightly - always.
This story doesn't have to be a new one, there will be no closing of one book to open another, it will roll from one chapter to the next, its younger characters will remain but may not feature as prominently for they have started their own spinoff in the series.
The new setting will have pictures of pigtails, sports uniforms and band practice, but it will now be lined with the books, technology, and the beautiful things that are currently hidden out of arms reach. There will be pages of long lunches, voluntary work, spare of the moment drives, extended holidays and new discoveries.
Life is broken up into stories.
Do you ever think of the story after this one?
Lovely post! Hugs from Aberdeen! - Colleen :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Colleen, were your ears burning this morning? You were missed xx
DeleteLove love love this post - what a gorgeous way of thinking.
ReplyDelete*off to write some notes for the future*
xxx
Yes I do. Son is back in the US for uni, with Daughter looking for her own place in uni within 2 years. I'd like to say it gets clearer as you near that time, but it doesn't always work out that way. It's still a matter of 'if this, then that, otherwise the other'. But we've tossed it around for some time now, trying these new possible chapter on for size. I've changed careers and continue to lay the groundwork for newer, bigger, better; he'll get the same chance soon.
ReplyDeleteI try to imagine G doing something that doesn't involve a suit and International travel and struggle with the concept. Oh God, what he wanted me to work with him? Now that could complicate the story :-)
DeleteFeel like I am at the start of a new chapter! Very exciting and looking forward to what it will bring!
ReplyDeleteYes, thinking of it a lot these days as it's about to change at the end of this school year back to the duo you speak of. A huge transition after 21 years of parenting particularly as ours will all be countries away due to this expat life we choose. Will be missing them all deeply but also embracing the freedom and new adventures ahead!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post!
Part of the reason for trying to plan ahead is the rapid speed at which time is moving and my impending sense of doom of a household without little travellers - I know it's miles away yet, but it remains to fill me with dread. I have to constantly remind myself that there will be exciting things and changes for the good. I love your expressions of freedom and adventure.
DeleteI'm right with Linda - one at Uni in the US, the 2nd one heading that way in a couple years - and where will we be? No idea. Penciling lots of ideas in right now, but no real direction yet. Keep penciling - you've got a few years to go!
ReplyDeleteLOVED this post. We look at life the same way, as a story that we edit as we see fit. Just because you're the main character doesn't mean you can't also be the author. Keep the chapters coming, guys.
ReplyDeletegreat post! I've had too many stories the past two years - so am taking a break and enjoying living in this one!
ReplyDeletegreat post! I've had too many stories the past two years - so am taking a break and enjoying living in this one!
ReplyDeletegreat post! I've had too many stories the past two years - so am taking a break and enjoying living in this one!
ReplyDeleteLovely post :-) Our new chapter has just begun with the birth of our beautiful daughter :-)
ReplyDeleteOur empty nest chapter turned out to not be dramatic as our home and jobs did not change at the same time. Then came retirement with full-time travel around the USA by RV and that was very different. My next chapter starts next week with me becoming a solo snowbird. No, I'm not divorcing my husband of 45 years. I want to go south for the winter and he wants to stay in Minnesota so we are trying it both ways to see what happens. I guess what I am saying is you likely have more than one chapter yet to write. Enjoy each one as it comes.
ReplyDeleteWe talk quite a bit about what comes next ... not necessarily for the planning of it, but for the discovery of what we both enjoy, wish for and hope to see happen in our lives. Kiddos were present from the beginning of our relationship so we often daydream about what life for "just us" will be like ... it's fun talking about the various possibilities!
ReplyDelete