Seasons

We all go through different seasons... not the 4 physical ones that come every year, but rather seasons of friends, family members, hardships and joys.  There's many more, but they are personalized, depending on the person.  Last week, I took the kids to a barbeque picnic with their former school mates.  (We had pulled them out of the part time program in February).  This was to give the kids the chance to see their friends in a large group for {probably} the last time.  It didn't take long for me to realize that even after four short months, the relationships had drastically changed.  The older kids all found the one or two friends that they were really looking forward to seeing and I just ended up watching them for the time.  I actually felt that we were intruding on the school's picnic and wasn't totally sure we were welcome.  An odd feeling to be sure.
I felt that we were no longer part of the *community* of Stony Creek.  It was sad for me in a few ways.  One being, that unless I put the kids back in the program (which probably won't happen), that "family" feel is gone.  I am so thankful for the amazing friendships I have built with some moms over the years and I hope and pray we continue to be friends.  There are a few women who I have shared and opened so much of my heart with and I love them for it.  I hope my children continue to phone the friends they've made and that those friends call them up as well.  When we left the school, it wasn't my intent to drop all relationships but instead to keep close the ones we all had made.and build on them.  
I am in a season of pouring much of my energies into my four amazing children.  I am mothering them.  Teaching them.  Loving them.  Advocating for them.  Supporting and loving them with all my heart.  This is what God wants me to do, where He wants me to be and this is the season I'm in.