Having friends, maintaining friendships can be expensive. Having built these friendships through church we got used to free socializing. But I can see how going out is getting to be too pricy.
Alas, we went on a weekend away and swam and assembled food, shared stories and listened to each other’s heart or silliness. And it was grand! And healing and fun.
A common thread. We are strong and independent. Very different paths in life. Some career women, some single, others missionaries, with or without children, adopted or not, but we can hold our own.
Our husbands are walking their own journey of growth. One thing we realized, in our common challenges) that we can do is communicate clearer, with childlike hope and challenge the men to rise to the occasion, each in our respective lives.
We can’t escape the disappointment that we are all human, though nobody said anything unkind about them, we all got to this burnout state (the too common pain of this generation) because we filled in all the gaps of needs and everyone’s needs never end.
Pulling back with kindness to make room for others to step up, to allow time and faith for others to find their strength and voice, it’s not lazy but it takes a lot of self control, self discipline, hope and clarity and purpose.
We don’t just give up. We adapt to another way of doing life, active yet restrained. Hopeful yet flexible. Allowing trial and error.
Much like with our kids. Sometimes we do the same with our spouses. And was of late, even our own parents.