Life is Simply Made up of Many Transitions…
I will never forget that particular day in February, many years ago, when I received the call that my sister was on her way to the hospital because she was going to have her first baby. This was big news in our family, mainly because she was the first sibling to have a baby. It was doubly exciting for me because I was going to be an aunt and she had asked me to be the baby’s godparent. I was awed and taken aback, sounded like a big responsibility, yet I was thrilled and jumped in with both feet as I always do.
The christening was about 6 weeks later, so I booked my plane ticket and flew down to meet my little godchild. She was beautiful, always smiling, happy and had taken to me as I held her and rocked her to sleep. She loved to fall asleep on my shoulder. It was an amazing experience, holding that little tiny baby as she was baptized and everyone looking on in the church. The only sad thing for me was my sister lived over 1000 miles away, so I would try to make a trip once a year for a week to visit and hang out with my godchild. I remember one trip in particular we had had so much fun, that when it was time for me to go she ran onto the bed and flopped across my suitcase and declared “I’m going, pack me in your bag!”
Fast forward 16 years later, my little godchild is not so little anymore (She’s taller than me now!). In fact, I just got back from spending a week with her, my sister and her family. As it turned out, my wonderful godchild was graduating from high school. It was so wonderful to be there for her. She’s so grown up! When did that happen? It was another amazing experience and a huge transition. In fact, my sister and I, since her first child was born, have both gone through many transitions. She moved several times and had 2 more kids, both girls. My transitions were many, surviving 4 layoffs in 9 years, a divorce, and the poor passing of my 2 beloved Golden Retrievers.
So, as I was sitting there in that amphitheater with my mom, watching Melanie (my godchild) walk across that stage and accept her diploma, I was awash with tears of joy and sadness. How did this time pass so quickly? And when did I become the “cool” aunt that all my nieces wanted to hang out with? How bizarre to be sitting here watching a graduation of over 600 students in Houston, Texas and be struck with all the transitions we go through in life. So, this prompted me to write because as I saw the amazing transformation of my godchild, I also know she has wonderful parents (and aunts, uncles and grand parents) who have instilled in her many survival tips and tactics of sorts on how to make it through each and every life transition in one piece.
And since I’ve been through many of my own life transitions, some of them all at once (my divorce, laid off from my job, losing my house, my best friend) I wrote a chapter about it for this awesome book by Debbie Phillips (Founder of Women On Fire) Women on Fire, 20 Inspiring Women Share their Life Secrets (and Save you Years of Struggle!). I have the honor of being one of the 20 Inspiring Women who share their life secrets in Debbie Phillips new book, Women On Fire. This book is a heart-stirring and heartwarming anthology of stories written by 20 courageous and powerful women who faced real-life challenges and successfully moved through them to become authentic women on fire. Each woman shares the details of a seemingly insurmountable obstacle and describes how she summoned the strength to overcome it and emerge stronger, healthier, happier, and more deeply fulfilled. The most important part of their message is that you can do the same! If you want to discover more about my 7 Secrets to Life’s Transitions, click here!
I’m thrilled to be a part of this book, this Women On Fire movement and to have so many wonderful Women on Fire in my life – my sister, my mom, my beautiful godchild, and my nieces!
Click here to order your personal signed copy of Women On Fire by yours truly!!
If you want to be inspired even more, check out the newly printed – WOMEN ON FIRE DVD: Inspire ME – it’s s a delightful video tour into the world of Women on Fire.
Discover ways to move forward in your life when you meet real-life women who are “on fire” about their lives. Click here for more information about the DVD and how to order.
You will experience the magic of Women On Fire Tea Parties (read more about how the Women On Fire Tea Parties saved my life) and be invited into an exclusive live Women on Fire workshop.
3 Comments
KATHLEEN
THIS IS BEAUTIFUL, AND QUITE A MARKING OF TIME AND TRANSITIONS WITH HEARTFELT LOVE.
Shannon
Hi Mom! Thanks so much for your comment,that’s really sweet, so glad you liked it. I love sharing things like this. Much love, S
Shannon
Hi there, thanks so much for your great note! Really appreciate your kind words and encouragement, we all need that, no matter how old we are! Be sure to let me know how I can help you.