Stress or Calm?

Good stress is still stress, right? There are many changes coming to my family. We are packing up to move to our hometown, but don't know how things will be. Can we pick up there where we left off? Will we love our home and make it homey?

Our youngest is about to graduate and get his first college teaching job. We will be terribly far away from him. I'll miss him every day. I miss all my kids terribly, but two kids have mates and children of their own. The youngest is alone, but anxious to find a mate.

He'll be nervous about a new start, but at the same time, happy to make his way in the world. He's also getting the ability to do what he's always wanted to do and what he's good at. That's a huge blessing!

I want to help pack, because I'm pretty good at it and also very fast. Well, at least I was once. When I stopped using my walker a week ago I was so excited. Things were going well and the foot didn't hurt. I could feel that it was different, but that was all.

After being on my feet more than I should, I found that my feet were swelling. The next morning that foot hurt on the bottom and up the calf. I ended up having to just rest with elevated feet and using some ice.

The next day I had to use my walker again, and stop packing. I really felt like I was letting Hubby down, because he's having to do everything. He's really not up to it. His cancer medication makes him weak and so tired. Needless to say, our house is a disaster.

I saw a joke that was so funny, because it was so real. We've moved a number of times and I can really relate to it. The person packing to move to another home was holding a trash can while brushing everything off the countertop into the trash can.

Everywhere I look, there are small things laying around. I don't know what to do with them. I hate to pack all of these things knowing that they'll sit in a box in the basement for how long?

I certainly won't lose any sleep over packing, because we still have some time before we leave. I know that right now, and will have to be very careful with my ankle. The recovery is what I need to focus on, so that I'll be able to walk.

Trying to get through a physically challenging time, can make me bitter, angry, depressed, or calm. When I just try to stay calm I feel more contentment. My calmness helps the rest of my family to stay calm.

Are you going through a new challenge? What helps you to get through it? Survival is important, and we all have days that cause me to be proud of just surviving. But, I really desire calmness and contentment.

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”  – Psalm 55:22

@2025, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Disclaimer: I'm not a medical expert. This post contains my experiences and opinions and is not meant to be taken as medical advice. If you have a personal problem please consult your personal physician.