A New Season Of Life
This site contains affiliate links from which we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
The fruit trees are full of spring blossom and the roses are starting to bloom… It’s a lovely time of year…
A few weeks ago, I entered into a new season of life… I lost my job outside the home that I had for the past two and a half years…. It was a job that I “accidentally” got in the first place, but one that was right for the season of life I was in at the time.
I had always been a stay-at-home mum and a homemaker. I also knew that one day I would be looking after my parents, and so I decided to get my certification in Aged Care. I worked in a residential facility for three months doing night shift, and then I didn’t do anything else until two and a half years ago, when a lady in town asked if I could take on her job of looking after an elderly lady. She was moving to another town and wanted to find a replacement before she left…
I initially said no.. I wasn’t looking for four days a week of work outside the home.. but she convinced me, haha, and so began my season of being a working woman!
I learned a lot. I gained more hands-on experience in caring for the elderly and learned how to navigate the aged care system. I discovered that my parents were eligible for home care that we didn’t know was available. Some things are well-kept secrets! So I was able to set things in place for mum and dad, well before the new system that is rolling out next month began.
I do believe we go through certain experiences and seasons in life for a reason. And I believe that like nature’s seasons, our life seasons change…
Now I find myself a homemaker once again, and I can tell you it is just lovely! Surprisingly, it has taken me a few weeks to adjust, but I have started to get back into my old rhythms of life.. finding time for things I didn’t have when I was working outside the home, and I am loving it.
I am thankful for the past 2 1/2 years.. Not only have I learned a lot, but it’s also helped pay for extra things to be done around the house 🙂 That part will be missed, but I am excited about “working” at home again to make the most of what we have.
I am also looking forward to having mum and dad move into the granny flat in our backyard. It’s almost the season for me to be spending more time caring for them, rather than for non-family members.
Things are almost ready to start with the building… yesterday, the windows arrived:
Hopefully, more building supplies will arrive soon!!!
We have decided to call it Rose Cottage. Obviously, we will be planting roses outside the windows… It’s going to be lovely!
I’m looking forward to spending more time at home and less time in the car! I’m hopeful that I will be back in the sewing room soon… picking up the projects I haven’t worked on for ages, and no doubt starting new ones! I’m also hoping to start teaching quilting classes again… I have lots of plans, but am going to take it slow…
However, I’m excited to see what the next season in life brings and take you on the journey with me!
Pretty flowers and books look like good reads
Thank you so much for sharing. You have really had a busy few years. I am glad that you were able to learn so much for your next phase of life. It is really hard navigating the system for the elderly. I am looking forward to seeing the progress on the flat you are preparing for your mum and dad. I hope you get to enjoy having them close for a lot of years.
What a lovely post Joy. I had noticed you seemed more “relaxed” in your recent posts. I’m so happy for you. Rose Cottage is a beautiful name. Maybe you can write a book with that title with your parents starring in a “senior” mystery! 😀
Good morning Joy, I am glad that you are doing well inspite of the setbacks. Enjoy your time getting back to your quilting. I am getting back into mine now that our fall is truly upon us. No snow in the forecast yet but it has been snowing in the mountains. You’ll be gardening and we will be shoveling snow. Take care!
Aggie
I just love seeing spring things on the blogs I follow from down under. What a change for you and so reasonable to adjust slowly. It will be interesting to see the Rose Cottage taking shape.
You’re gearing up and we’re gearing down. It is truly Fall here and seems to be headed quickly into Winter. The temps have been below freezing overnights, which makes for frosty mornings.
I believe things happen for a reason. You have been in training for helping with your parents at this stage of their lives. It takes a special kind of person to do it and you are that. Kudos to you!
What a lovely positive post about this change. I totally agree that these things that ‘fall into our laps’ are for our learning and benefit. Glad you are enjoying more time to yourself and your family….
Hugz
What a beautiful new season of life for yourself and your parents!
Yes, I believe that we are put in certain situations in order to prepare us for what we might be dealing with in the future. Your working time has given you good groundwork for now having to deal with your parents.
I’m excited to see pictures of the granny flat as it evolves. I sometimes wish that there was space at our kids for us to do the same but our oldest lives in an apartment and #2 son already has his mother-in-law living with them.