A New Chapter in Life | The Red Headed Hostess
A New Chapter in Life
It really hit me last night.
I was sitting on the couch and my husband was on the floor putting together a piece of furniture for me when I looked at him and said,”tomorrow is my last ‘B’ day”, and then I realized and said, “tomorrow is my last days with my special needs class”. He had just been waiting for this moment, knowing it would come. He hopped up on the couch and without knowing myself that it was coming, I cried and cried on his shoulder.
Thirteen years of studying and teaching the scriptures, planning lessons, worrying about students, feeling so very overwhelmed and inadequate, experiencing joy and frustration, seeing students get married in the Temple, go on missions, have families… I don’t know how to sum up all of the energy and focus it took to do that. I don’t know how to express how much I looked forward to the weekends, not because I didn’t love my job, but because weekends were easier. I don’t know how to explain how much I have felt grief because of choices my students made. I don’t know how to tell how much joy I felt when we felt the Spirit together and I could see how amazing these teenagers were and how much hope I have felt for the future of the Church. I just don’t know how to explain what this feels like.
I have known for 8 months that this is coming, babies have a way of giving you good amount of notice. I have been praying, and planning, and preparing for this day for so long, but it still feels abrupt and surreal. As I was crying on my husband’s shoulder, I said to him, “I feel sad, but this means we get our little girl, and that isn’t sad at all.”
You know that part in The Lion King, when Rafiki anointed Simba to be the next king? He takes some kind of fruit or liquid from a pod and sweeps it on his face? Well that is an ancient ritual used for centuries upon centuries. It is a great symbol used for future kings and leaders. The liquid should be oil, and oil is a symbol of the Spirit. So the symbol says, “you are being set aside to rule, but you do not have the right to rule unless you are guided by God and the Spirit.” Christ is a title that actually means “THE anointed one”, so does Messiah, they are the same name in different languages. All leaders should strive to be like Christ and actually lead others to their great potential. And aren’t mothers and fathers the leaders of the most basic unit of society?
“Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling…. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.” (Elder Neil L. andersen)
I had a student ask me why I wasn’t taking maternity leave and coming back after. “Because I can be easily replaced here,” I said, “but who can replace me at home?” I absolutely know how much energy it takes to teach 100 teenagers everyday and I do not want to give my family the leftovers, because I absolutely know that those leftovers would not be good enough.
I sent a text to my husband today: “I just said goodbye to my special needs kids.”
Someone must have given him lessons on how to be a great husband, because he said, “you are already the best mother in the world.” And then I was mad because he made me cry. Again.
such a sweet message – you are going to be a great mother ~hugs~
You Go Girl…or should I say “You GLOW girl!” You are a great example to so many. Your baby doll is a blessed baby. Enjoy every minute. It really does go fast.
As an early morning seminary teacher I have benefitted in so many ways from reading your blog and as a mother of seven wonderful children I look forward to continuing to read as I am sure you are going to be the kind of mother that I will want to learn from and feel uplifted by. Thank you for your goodness and your willingness to share. Your new little one will bring you more joy than you ever thought was possible
I have been blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom with my 4 beautiful kids for the last four years. My oldest is 6 and for the first 2 1/2 yrs of her life I worked. And you put it perfect when you said your family would get the “leftovers”. That is exactly what my little girl and husband got of me when I got home from work “leftovers”. Enjoy the memories you have made and look forward to the ones you are going to make. Your little girl will grow SO fast and believe me you will not want to miss a moment. The next thing you will know you will be crying the first day of kindergarten and waiting in the car for her to get out of class (yes I did this). So enjoy all the special moments!
You are going to be a great Mother!
I had an opportunity to spend time with special needs kids in high school. There is not anything that can compare to the way you feel when you are around them. They are just special.
That being said. Nothing can compare to being a mother. Good for you for making the decision to be a stay at home mom. There will be just as many tears, feeling inadequate, and time of pure joy and bliss.
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful ideas. I am sure you will get enough advice from other moms who read your blog. Just ask!!!!
I know how you feel. Leaving my job as a first grade teacher was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I think I was in withdrawl that whole Summer, and then it really hit me when Fall came and I wasn’t getting ready to go back to school. It was so much harder than I thought it would be. But, I would never change that choice. One of my teacher friends had told me: “You have the rest of your life to help other people’s kids, but only a few years to spend with your own.” She was so right. Staying at home with my son has been the greatest blessing in my life. He is so wonderful, and being here for him is so important. Enjoy this special time you get to spend with your little one. Before you know it, they are turning two and you think “I was here for all of it, but where did the time go?”
Loved reading your story this morning. Wish more moms felt the way you do. Our children grow up so fast and you wonder where the years have gone but you are taking the responsibility to be that special childs mother and will be a great mom. As they grow and start talking my suggestion is to get a notebook and write down all the funny saying she will say. I have done this with my grand-daughter and now she will say Granny was that funny and are you going to write it in my book? Just love being her Granny. In fact I quit work before she was born so I could keep her while my daughter worked. Really enjoy your website! It realy is a new chapter in your life so enjoy all the changes that it will bring!
I am teary just reading your feelings. I have been an early morning seminary teacher for 5 years and I absolutely agree with every sentiment you expressed. It is the BEST, HARDEST calling I have had! I can imagine how you must feel saying goodbye to this chapter of your life….BUT, the greatest is yet to come! You are so wise, so close to the spirit and so ready to be an amazing mother! Thank you for ALL of your help, both with seminary ideas and with ideas to just be a better me! I love everything you post! I sat down over the last few days for hours writing the page titles for the Old Testament in my scriptures. I LOVED it!!! Thank you, thank you for the time you devote to helping so many of us. You are wonderful!
I have four daughter’s. All stay at home mommies. We have 15
grandchildren, all are wonderful,happy,bright, loving kids. The spirit shing
in each of them. No problems like most kids face today. As moms they elected to stay home and be the guiding force in their childs life. I feel for the sisters who need to work. How hard it must be to leave the home each day. I pray for them. I’m so happy for you. Your little gal is going to get the best education in the scripture’s, all your years teaching will benefit her life. How great is that.
Shannon, I want you to know that the time you give to your blog is blessing many of us in the scripture’s. I love your style of teaching . I’m waiting for the day we get to learn your little girls name. I would like to know is there anyway we can send you a gift. Do you have a PO box number? You get to sleep in tomorrow, how exciting.
Your not giving up teaching your just changing venue. I am learning so much from you.
I greatly look forward to your daily posts. They are the perfect start to my day! You have a wonderful blessing of sharing your gifts of your Heavenly Father. Now it is the season to share those with your own little ones and your students will continue to rise and bless you. I have been a stay at home mom for 23 years. I have not regretted a day!
Beautiful post, Shannon. Thanks for sharing so much of your heart with us everyday and for reminding me what really is important in life. Best wishes on the birth of your beautiful little girl and on moving into that wonderful miracle of motherhood and everything that goes with it!
You’re going to be the best mother ever, not only have you helped all of your students, but there are so many lessons you’ve taught me through your blog about teaching seminary that simply saved me time and filled my mind with his light! You will be greatly missed by those of us who have taught with you or watched you teach! Thanks for your great example in so many things! Keep blogging so I can learn how to be a great mama too!
Shannon you are amazing.. How blessed all the kids have been to have you as their Spiritual teacher… You always have us(Your blog followers) we are ready and willing and able to learn and grow spiritually because of your instruction. Once you get the sweet girl in your arms it will all work out. Don’t blink because she will be one of those teenagers before you know it.
Hugs
Brooke
Tears came to my eyes as I read your post. I believe you are a wonderful woman, wife, seminary teacher, and soon-to-be mother! You have impacted my life in just a few short months after I was introduced to your website. Wow! And your husband sounds great too.
May I ask a quick question? What is the name of the font you use for your titles, the font that is in blue? I love the look of it!
Thank you for sharing your talents and knowledge with us. I hope to be a better person from what I am learning.
I have had the privilege of teaching early morning seminary for about ten years now and I have eleven very strong spirits that my husband and I been raising. My teaching has been a blessing to me as I have found the insights I have needed to raise up my children. I also have not worked outside the home and made a lot of sacrifices in order to do so. I would not trade it for anything – just as those insights and understandings have come to me from studying for my calling – insights and understanding have come from my children. We are schooled in such a special way as we become parents to these strong spirits. There will be long nights not only with your new baby but as she grows and becomes a young adult with a mind of her own and a strong will to match. Nothing in life has brought me to my knees more and developed my relationship with my heavenly father better than my role as a mother. You will be a wonderful mother!
Thank you for sharing your insights. I have really appreciated the opportunity of feeling of your spirit through your blog.
You made me cry.
It is such a privilege to stay home and raise children. I love your answer as to why you aren’t going back after a maternity leave. I wish I had had that answer in my head when I was in college and my study group couldn’t believe that I was studying engineering while pregnant with our first baby, knowing I would be staying home instead of using my degree. Your answer is much more articulate than mine was as I tried to explain why I was choosing to stay home after studying something so very difficult.
You’ve made an amazing choice, and although I know you’ve touched many, many lives through your teaching and blog (my life included), you will touch many more by raising a child who has been taught the gospel and raised in a loving home. [not that working moms can’t do that, but it isn’t quite the same]
I (selfishly) have to say that I hope you continue to share your wisdom through your blog. I know that it has touched my life and has encouraged me to study the scriptures in a deeper way. Thank you!
I remember it being difficult to change from working all day to being a mom all day, but it came so naturally and it was wonderful. I have no idea how difficult it would be to leave a teaching job though. We are human, change makes us nervous, and it is always difficult to move on to a new chapter. I love how you say no one can replace you at home, it is how I have felt for such a long time. Sometimes it is more difficult but it is ALWAYS worth it. I personally am thrilled to continue reading your blog and your insight into mothering as you develop this new talent.
This message couldn’t have come at a better time. I am in the process of quitting my job of 7 years to stay home with my 4 kids. It has been such a hard time for me making this change and giving up what I know. Your message truly helped me. Thank you for your wonderful blog. It really has changed my life. You are so amazing. Your little girl is so lucky to have you as a mother. Thank you. Thank you.
You ARE going to be a great mom! Not just in the natural way or in the nurturing way (although given the love you have for your students, that is a given), but because you are so close to the Lord, because you don’t just teach kids *to* study and learn, you teach them *how*. And that is a pretty awesome talent.
If your husband teaches others how to be good husbands….I know a few that could use some lessons 😉
Take care!
I found your web site about a week ago. I have had such a good time reading your material. I am so excited to start my journals. I’m 64 years old, but I figure it’s never too late to start. Thank you for all your help and keep it coming. I’m so thankful to you for sharing your talent.
You do have a good husband. It is such a change turning a new corner in life! Not always easy but it’s great to know that God has an amazing plan that is working itself out. 🙂
http://munchtalk.blogspot.com/2012/01/spiffy-business-ecover-review-and.html
Hey Shannon
I was wondering if you were going to be going to YW Confrence on March 23 ( or 24 I forgot)
Jenny Winters
You are going to be a great Mom! You’ve already made an awesome choice…Your husband is correct! You’ll certainly be missed at school, but look at the good you’ve done. Your influence will be felt for years…for eternity. And now look how WELL prepared you are for this new mission you are about to embark on!
It will so be worth it.
Just a side note: I LOVED the quote on Motherhood, so I went to the original General Conference talk to read it in context….and thought I would pass this tid-bit along. The quote about “Motherhood not being a hobby” is in fact from a talk that Elder Anderson gave, however… it is not “his” quote. He is actually quoting Rachel Jankovic, “Motherhood Is a Calling (and Where Your Children Rank),” July 14, 2011, desiringgod.org) in his talk. Just FYI. But thank you so much for posting it. I love the quote and it is a wonderful reminder!