I’ve been reflecting lately how over the years I’ve felt like a pioneer woman. Have I ever done anything as brave as a pioneer woman…nope. But there have been seasons in life when I felt like a pioneer woman among my peers. I was married at 19 when all my friends were still single and away at college or working for the weekend. My husband and I had our first son when I was 21. My peers were still single. Our second son was born when I was 23. Now, some of my friends were getting married. At 26 we had our third son and my closest friend was pregnant with her first.
When I took my oldest to kindergarten I cried alone because none of my friends were there yet and had no idea what it felt like. Let’s not even get into the middle school years! Then “losing” 2 of my boys to my wonderful daughter-in-laws…
With the different stages of life there has been loneliness and a sense of forging through. But in those lonely times I felt a deep closeness to God. He became my teacher, and every now and then he’d send a more seasoned pioneer woman my way to tell me it was going to be OK…you will get through this!
Now at age 50, I never plan on going out west in a wagon train. Instead, I dream of going out west via Route 66 in a convertible with the top down next to my husband of 30 years. It is a new season to pioneer, and I am grateful.
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Deanna Sturgeon lives in Michigan with her husband of 30 years. A mother of three boys and three grandchildren, she loves spending time with her family and friends, camping, lounging at the beach, and reading. She is learning to embrace what wild Jesus has for her through love, dreams, hope and laughter.
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The whole time I’m reading the notes of California Dreaming are streaming through my head. Nice article Deanna…and another well chosen photo.
What no spell check? “California” really needs the a.
Fixed, oh ye of little faith.
Deanna,
so aptly named “Pioneer” because you were! “Among the first” to enter into a new stage. And again, a new stage Deanna, and your plans make me smile!
Pioneering sounds like a lonely place to be at times. I love the plan that you have for your 50s and the friends you have to travel this route with you!