Predictable life

Tomorrow is my last photo shoot. I have many mixed emotions about this. I have been so exhausted from all the hours of work, and thought that by the time I do my last shoot I would be jumping for joy. I guess it's just now hitting me that this chapter (book) in my life will soon be over. Selleck Photography is done. It has been such a predictable part of my life. When people would ask what are you doing this week? I'd respond..."Working" This Month...Working! This year Working! Long hours...16 hour days. I wake up grab a cup of coffee, turn on my computer, begin to work..then a few hours into the morning I hop in the shower..then set up studio, photograph the senior, come back download images, crop, color correct and delete images...go to bed. Wake up and it's the same thing...... I still have about 2 months of artwork left. But at least my shooting time is done. My goal is to be done by Christmas. It's so hard for me to imagine having a life, because as I've said earlier...my life is pretty predictable.
My life has been pretty safe and uneventful in this career I've built around myself. What I mean by safe is...not a lot of conflicts. When you don't communicate with people your chances of conflict are greatly decreased. I like that part of my life. I hate conflict, and yet at the same time I speak my mind. Go figure. And what I mean about uneventful is that I do the same thing every day.
A few weeks ago when I went to my holton home on Sunday, it felt sooo good. I visited several people and had a wonderful time. I'd like to talk about my time with Walt. Walt is a man from our community, his son goes to our church...Walt is Catholic, and about 80-85 years old. I have permission to just walk in anytime and visit. Walt's wife died last year. I got to visit margaret a few times before she went to be with the Lord. What a beautiful person. I gave her foot rubs and sang hymns to her while her spirit was preparing for departure. What a spiritual experience that was. So glad I was able to meet her on this side of Heaven, and look forward to seeing her again. Well, when I went to Walts home, we had a bit of small talk and then he shared with me how much he missed going to the cemetary to visit margarets grave site, and that his son told him that she really isn't there, and that her spirit is in heaven. I then proceded to ask him if he wanted to go right now...that is unless he has something better to do. His face said it all. So off we went. I kidnapped Walt from his home. I informed his son that I had him and we were going to the cemetary. All was fine with him, so off we went. We got to the cemetary, and neither Walt or I could remember where her plot was. We drove around in about 5 or 6 circles. I then called Mike, Walt's son for directions, and he led us there verbally. I stopped my van in front of her plot. At this time we were experiencing hail, thunder and lightning. I put Walt's window down so he could look out the window and see his wife stone. I then went to the grave stone and cleaned off all the leaves and noticed that someone left 2 (ceramic?)cardinals next to the stone. (Margaret loved cardinals) One of the cardinals had been blown away and over, so I picked it up and moved it back to the other cardinal . Walt just
watched. I then went to his window and took his hands and we prayed. I said when he was ready we could go. He sat there a minute, and then said he was ready, and that next time when we go he'll remember where her plot was. I then asked him if he was hungry. He said he sure was but that he forgot his pocketbook. I said, "That's ok..this ones on me, you get the next one." We went to the Feedmill, and had soup and crackers. We had a great time together. I know that I was so much more blessed than he was. God has given me a heart for Walt. I love laughing with him, talking with him, hearing stories of his childhood, etc... I thank the Lord for Walt.
When I think of being done with work...I think of all the unpredictable things I can do. Jerry calls me a butterfly...and thinks I need to stay very flexible to do what God calls me to do daily. I agree. I love to walk in the Spirit. There is so much adventure there. It's still hard for me to imagine a life like that. I've worked since I was 13, and raised 5 kids...I'm now facing a door that says, "Be free to fly my daughter...Love God" OOOOH the thought of that brings tears to my eyes. Freedom to be with our kids/grandkids.. family...friends...church... Off to bed for now, God Bless anyone reading this.