my life of eras

While in high school, Alex and I came to the realization that our life passes in "eras."  These are different than chapters.  Chapters mark changes in life: the passing of loved ones, new births, new or lost homes, careers, graduations, adventures...stuff like that.

The chapters of our life are all enveloped by the greater era.  I've been asked, "Well, when do the eras begin?  How do you know one has ended?"  The answer, for myself, is: I don't know.

It's the sort of thing that I don't realize a new era has begun until I'm well into it.  One doesn't wake up and say, "Today is a new era."  We walk through life, living out experiences and relationships, and one day realize, "I'm in a new era of my life."  I think I've had 4: Pre-crash, Post-crash, College, Marriage.

And today, as I walked into work with my coffee in hand and cloudy sky above, I thought about the recent happenings in and around my life.  There have been many changes, many chapters.  I'm in the last year of my undergraduate work, I've lost a loved one, new children have been brought into the world, I've spent 429 wonderful days of marriage with the most incredible woman in the world, and my friend has been married for about 18 hours.  I have friends that have celebrated more than a year of marriage and friends that have celebrated a few months.  We had 7 weddings this year and my wife was [Matron] of Honor in 3 of them (she doesn't like that word, because it sounds old.)  One of my friends found his passion and is ardently pursuing it (which I admire and respect deeply.)  Others are still waiting patiently for a still small voice to help them find direction for the rest of their life.  Some have made decisions about ministry, about schooling, about children, or even about finances.

And with this perspective I thought to myself, "Is this a new era?"  Change in-and-of-itself does not necessarily mean a new era.  But with the combination off all that's happened in the past months, I feel like I'm in a new era of my life.  Passions are discovered, loves are found and committed to, children are born, and Britt and I are surrounded by it.  This is our life now.  We love it.  It's strikingly different than just 2 years ago, but a new era brings with it new possibilities and adventures.

I'm thankful for the path that has been my life.  I'm thankful for the struggles and the hurts, the joys and laughter, the adventures and monotony.  These times have shaped me into who I am today.

I am thankful for all my eras.