Is It Time For a Change?

Decisions, decisions! Mom and Dad are facing one of the toughest decisions of their lives. I am sharing this with you, but respectfully request no input because they have enough from their 4 kids!!! Dad is concerned, as we all are, about Mom having the weight of taking care of their property on her shoulders. They are vacillating about putting their place on the market and moving to Austin, or staying where they are and remaining status quo. We all want what's "best" for them, but are on the fence as to what that is! They love it out in the country and they love their home. After all, Mom and Dad designed it to their specifications and Dad was the general contractor. Their blood, sweat and tears are in that place. I was going to say that their heart and soul are in that place, but I don't believe that to be true. Yes, they love it, but their heart and soul are in their togetherness! In May they will have been married 66 years...there in-lies their heart and soul!

I took them yesterday to see two garden homes and one house in my neighborhood in North Austin. That is the area they think they would like to be if they move. The garden homes were in a gated community on Anderson Mill Rd, about 7 minutes from Ollie and me, and the house is about a block south of Anderson Mill Rd, about 5 minutes from us. Dad liked the largest of the garden homes and Mom loved the house! The garden home is 1512 sq. ft. and is a very nice home in a well-maintained community - but it means downsizing a LOT. The home is 2345 sq ft, much more space for Mom's antiques and much less confining. Coincidentally, or a God-thing, which-ever way you choose to look at it, the house was built to accommodate a wheelchair-bound person! It has a very roomy kitchen and ample living space. The shower was built for a person to wheel right in! Not that we are encouraging Dad to use his wheelchair, but he could roll right in! Mom also loved the back yard! She walked out and immediately said, "Oh, I could piddle around out here!"

Much of the family was together last night at my house for grandson Austin's 5th birthday. That gave Mom and Dad the opportunity to talk to each of us kids about moving. We all want them to make the decision of what makes them the happiest. Obviously, they don't WANT to move, but they both realize they need to be closer to their kids and, most importantly, that Mom needs to have her load lightened. Their decision changes from one conversation to the next, so we know it's a very, very tough one. When they left last night, they were still undecided. But, as I already said, it needs to be their decision with as little input as possible. I am not sure that all four of us kids are really on the same page, so we don't want to add to their confusion or make this more difficult for them.

I will ask that you pray with me while they make this decision. Lord God, King of Heaven and Earth,Mildred and Harvey Smith are facing a difficult decision in their lives. Inspire them to make the right decision, no matter what it may be. We are all relying on Your grace for divine help. Help us, their children, to know when to give them our input and when to keep our mouths shut! Help them to make a joint decision so there is no regret. If the decision is made for them to move to Austin, please give them peace. We ask this in Your holy name. Amen.

I will be surprised if I don't get a call from Mom today with a decision, one way or another. I will keep all of you posted.

Meanwhile, we were blessed to have so many of our family members together last night to celebrate Austin's birthday! Our house was full of laughter and love, not to mention a huge pile of gifts! Kids do really have too much stuff, but don't we all?! Fortunately we look as forward to seeing each other as we do to the gifts! It's a good balance! It's hard to believe that we are in November and headed toward the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons! Every single one of us, from the oldest in our clan to the youngest, looks forward to being together, praying together and appreciating each other.
God is great!