It was a beautiful sunset — or was it a sunrise?
I watched it from our deck of my family’s house overlooking Greers Ferry Lake. Sara Ann was about to begin her senior year in high school, my last school year with a child at home. Prelude to the empty nest.
Between the uncharacteristically cool breeze, the natural beauty and the chardonnay, my mood was reflective as I thought about the beginning of the end of this part of my life. A life defined by semesters, school days, spring breaks and Christmas vacations. The end of my girls’ lives as children as they move into adulthood — college graduation and the beginning of a bright career for Elizabeth, high school graduation and off to college for Sara Ann. A beginning for me as, for the first time in 21 years, I explore my own priorities and interests apart from motherhood. The end of rules and curfews. The beginning of years of friendship with my girls.
I love pictures of sunsets. This particular sunset marked the end of an amazing day, but as sure as it set over the lake, the sun rose again on the other side of the night. When you look at the photo, unless you know the exact location and directional orientation, you don’t know whether it’s a sunrise or a sunset. So I realize it is with life — every end holds within it a new beginning and there is beauty in both.
Though I know this transition will not be easy and I approach it with mixed emotions, I cling to the idea that, for us, the sun is rising.
Photo credit: Sara Ann
Thanks! Trying really hard not to be weepy/whiny and sometimes I'm successful. Sometimes … not.
You are making me cry! I love sunsets too, but definitely agree that for the Sanders — the sun is surely rising.
Thanks! Trying really hard not to be weepy/whiny and sometimes I'm successful. Sometimes … not.
You are making me cry! I love sunsets too, but definitely agree that for the Sanders — the sun is surely rising.
Thanks for that, Dave, and thanks for stopping by.
You guys are in a rich family time as well — love watching those sweet girls in all their innocence and beauty.
Thanks for that, Dave, and thanks for stopping by.
You guys are in a rich family time as well — love watching those sweet girls in all their innocence and beauty.
Thanks for sharing this transitional reflection into a new chapter with us. Very rich.
I love it!
I'm obsessed with sunrises/sunsets – but have to admit as a night owl, I see very few sunrises.
I used to drive my daughter to school – going east and we'd watch the sun rise together on the way to school. Those days were over when the driver's license came. I missed them!
I like the way you think, Gary! I'm trying to look at it that way as well – not that I don't have my moments …
Thanks for sharing this transitional reflection into a new chapter with us. Very rich.
Beth,
A beautiful image, and insightful post. I think it is a sunrise — what is in store may be the best!
What a lovely and poignant blog. You are so very right that every end is just a beginning.
A little over two and a half years ago, I had my own sunset/sunrise experience. I love pictures like that where you can't really tell. In fact, to commemorate that time in my life I had a sunset/sunrise tattooed on myself.
I love it!
I'm obsessed with sunrises/sunsets – but have to admit as a night owl, I see very few sunrises.
I used to drive my daughter to school – going east and we'd watch the sun rise together on the way to school. Those days were over when the driver's license came. I missed them!
I like the way you think, Gary! I'm trying to look at it that way as well – not that I don't have my moments …
Beth,
A beautiful image, and insightful post. I think it is a sunrise — what is in store may be the best!