I had a friend comment on all that the dash signifies when used between dates. 1960 – 2010 signified the span of my first husband’s life; 2006 – 2010 the dates of my son’s high school years. A lot of life can occur within the span of the dash.

2000 – 2018 reflects my span of work and service at Riverside. A lot of life has occurred within this time period. The move to a new town. The purchase of a new home. Watching our boys grow, get married, and begin families of their own. The death and burial of one husband and the discovery, love and marriage to my current husband. The joy of watching kids grow up and discover who they are in Christ and the equipping of parents to be their own children’s spiritual leader.

These past 18 years have been amazing. They haven’t always been easy, but they’ve been good because this is what I was supposed to do. However, the time has come when this chapter of my life has been called to close and I await with anticipation, joy, and perhaps just a bit of nervousness to see what the next chapter holds.

I have gained knowledge and many skills over these past 2 decades. Skills that will serve me well in another workplace. Knowledge that I’m eager to put to use in making a difference in the lives of people I will come into contact with and work alongside. I desire that chance! I will pursue that opportunity! To know that whatever I’ll be doing will be important if only in my own little world. And I know this to be true because God wastes nothing. No part of the dash in my life is for no reason. The space on either side of the dash signifies a beginning and an end. Not an end that will stop forever, but an end that involves a change of direction.

So I’m ready! I’m ready to see what this new direction will be. I’m taking up the challenge of doing something new and different after all these years. Just bring it on! I’m eager to begin a new dash!     2018 – ___ !!

Until next time –

Karen