Stepping into the Winter Season

Today, I am stepping out into an area with which I am unfamiliar.  Not because I have never done it before but because I have never shared it with others.  I am wanting to begin blogging about my journey into what I call the 'Winter Season' of my life--life after 60.  When I turned 40, I wrote a letter to God about being 40.

Here is a copy of that letter:

 July 24, 1996

Dear Lord,

Today is my 40^th birthday.  I wanted to take some time and write down my thoughts. Not that they will be profound but in years to come will give me perspective.

As I look at this milestone, I’ve divided my life into four seasons 0-20, spring; 20-40, summer; 40-60, fall; 60-80, winter.  I don’t know if that is accurate but it helps me get a perspective of where I am.  I am possibly in the middle of my life if I live a normal span.  However, living along life is nothing I expect of take for granted.  My summer season, 20-40, saw as much inward change as my 0-20 saw outward change.  I am not anywhere near the person I was at 20.  My perspective on life, on You, on marriage, on children, etc. has change dramatically.  As I think about the summer season as being a season of growing, I wonder what the all season will bring.  It is usually a time of harvesting. Reaping what has been sown in the summer and even spring.

But it can also be a time of planting—not the same things as summer but things that can grow even when the weather is not ideal as in summer.  Many farmers do not plant in the fall but I want to continue planting new things (different things in my life).  I pray that I will be more discerning about what I plant.  Because everything that is planted must be tended weeded, and watered.  Too many things spread me too thin.

I have so many things that I desire to do in this fall season and if I’m not careful, it will pass as quickly as summer. Lord, I need your perspective on what needs to be cultivated and what needs to go.

I want my garden (life) to reflect you and glorify you.  I don’t want to waste anything but use every opportunity you give me to bring glory to you and your kingdom.

I love you Lord,

Allyson

Little did I know that at age 42, my life would include a new baby born to my husband and me during our 20th year of marriage.  We already had 2 children who were in high school.  That baby is now in high school himself and I am still parenting something I never dreamed would be happening when I turned 40.

Next Friday, June 10, I will be doing something I have never done.  I'll be traveling halfway around the world to Cambodia to be a part of a mission team that will be ministering alongside of Cambodian pastor who is making a difference in the lives of children and their parents who live on a dumpsite in Phnom Penh.

Since I had my first child in 1981who will be 35 in August, I have been praying about what God would have been do when my children were grown and on their own.  I didn't realize it would be almost 40 years before I was able to begin this journey.  I'm still praying about that and am moving forward day by day, step by step, with what I sense Him calling me to do.

I'm journaling my thoughts at this time so I an remember what they are.  Since I am a typing teacher by profession (if that even a profession now), it is easier for me to type than to write.  I pray that sharing my story and journey will help others with theirs.