Life Happens For You!!!

This time last week I was in Tucson, AZ at my first major festival with over 3,000 attendees. It was exciting, nerve-wracking, a great learning experience and "the first out the gate".

Exactly one week later I am watching a live event introducing Jamie Kern Lima's book WORTHY. All the thought leaders are speaking and I am soaking it up. This week has been another opportunity for the Universe to cause upheaval and unplanned changes. I returned from Tucson to my home in Phoenix to address a washing machine overflow that has turned into the discovery of major failures of 60 year old cast iron pipes. None of this is covered by insurance. And I have not sold $25,000 worth of paintings to make this insignificant. But life truly is happening!

I have been in this house for 5 years and a few weeks. When my realtor friends found this for me, I thought it was a stretch. A beautiful "Leave it to Beaver" neighborhood, remodeled, spacious with a beautiful lush yard and a casita turned art studio. I never thought I would reside in downtown Phoenix! Yet, here I have been, splitting my time between here and Oregon.

The main purpose for moving here was that my daughter and son-in-law were starting their family. My previous home was a 50 minute car ride away - too far for my comfort in being available to help my daughter with infants. I was in a season of cocooning along side her: supporting her, enjoying Meemaw life and having space to be creative. My home was also a safe haven within the bubble of 2 years of COVID. Both my daughter and daughter-in-law had small children and were also pregnant during this period. We all hunkered down and kept our bubble as safe as possible. We all did great, and while we purposely removed ourselves from our outside connections, we welcomed 2 more babies. Life happened for us.

Now at this crossroad. I know I have been searching for something for a while. Having lived in the Phoenix area since 1988, I have watched this city grow. And I have been craving a beach house, a small town, a major change. I am fortunate to have choices, but I try to research the pluses and minuses of each. And honoring my over-arching vision of staying close to my kids and g-babies, my searches always circle back to indecision. And all this time Life has been happening. This week stopped me in my tracks. I have too much house. It deserves to have a family and new life. The repairs will be made. The new family that will live here will make their own memories here. And Life will happen for them!

Life is happening for me, even before the start date of the plumbing work to come. It is time to pull back a bit and allow Life to open all the possibilities for me. Life will show me new communities I can consider belonging to. Life will present me with opportunities to grow as my own person outside of being a mom and a Meemaw. Life is openings to new adventures, new connections and a new place to call home. There will be a new space for an art studio and new inspiration for the art yet to come.

In the past I would have said why is this plumbing problem happening to me. I will admit that i visited that line of thought: it has been a crappy week (no pun intended) full of fear and unknowns, lack of trust. And sitting here watching this inspiring group of speakers has reminded me: Life Is Happening For Me! It's the perfect time to pack up everything and put it in storage. Sell this house with fixed plumbing a new roof and good wishes for the next occupants. Time to take my 4 dogs, my paints and some clothes and hit the road. And when the right opportunity presents itself, I will have the new studio in my new home. Another adventure begins!