Today (old calendar) is the
Feast of the Annunciation.
Bright Wednesday
and
the Feasts that signifies the beginning of our salvation.
A friend of one of my dear friends was in town
and prayed with us in church.
A very special day, for which I am so thankful for.
I have been thinking about what it means to grow up;
I am 33 now; some think this is young, some not as young.
All I know is that I need to continue to grow up.
It is confusing - what does it mean to be an adult,
what does it mean to be single and a professional and female?
I see all around me so many of my friends married,
bearing children; to them this is what growing up means,
becoming a Mother.
But what does it mean to grow up
as a single professional female with a masters
(library science for me)
who will, Lord willing, be a working professional.
Who may or may not marry,
who may or may not have children.
What does it mean to learn to leave home
to not cleave to one's parents
but still have no husband to go to?
***
I am slowly learning how to navigate this,
but the road is not easy,
straightforward or
clear cut.
***
I would love to hear your thoughts on what you feel it means
to mature into adulthood,
in whatever situation life has given you.
***
Blessed Bright Week to all!
***
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!!!
I do not know. I'm about to turn 63 and I never have grown up.
ReplyDeleteBut I suppose, for the Orthodox, growing up is growing ever more into Christ and ever more like Him.
ReplyDeleteI think we are blessed to live in an era where we can be single, professional females and not have to marry to be decent. And I think Anastasia is right about growing into Christ, that is the reason for everyting, and things like marriage and motherhood are paths towards that. The problem is for some of us that because the vast majority marry and become mothers that it is sometimes hard to see the other paths.
ReplyDeleteThe single life is generally ignored, and those in it are not supported. Society is geared entirely to couples and families. A big difference between it and other states (marriage, monastic life) is that for most single people there isn't a point of commitment. This is just how we find ourselves, most of us wishing and hoping and perhaps acting on that hope, that it won't always be so - in fact, that it might change today or tomorrow! While I'm VERY grateful for the privileges of being educated, employed and independent, I do feel I'm missing out on a major part of my life. The single life seems to me to be about making the best of what we have, giving as much as we can (because we can usually choose more what to do with our time than can those with children, though that is not the same as being less busy) and waiting patiently on the Lord for what may or may not come next. It is not pleasant to think that one may never be married or have children - and yet in many ways I feel very looked after, and how can I doubt or grow desperate that God has not bothered to do the best thing for me? Of course He does, whether I see it or not. But though married friends sometimes envy free time, flexibility etc, the single life doesn't seem particularly rewarding or positive in itself. And there is a certain social awkwardness in being single, if not really a stigma anymore. I wonder, how do single men at a similar point in their lives feel about this?
ReplyDeleteHappy Feast Day!
ReplyDeleteAll good questions Elizabeth. When you figure out what it means to 'grow up' let me know. Like Anastasia, I am 50 and still don't have a blessed clue what it means. Though, I must say when I turned 50 I felt like I had "arrived." Arrived "where" or "to what" I haven't figured out yet.
ReplyDeleteWe are a society that values youth. Thus to have arrived at the half-century mark doesn't bode well for my future's worth in the eyes of society.
I do feel a bit more comfortable in my skin. Perhaps that's because it is looser and droopier. LOL! Who knows.
I say keep walking the sidewalk. Pay attention to what and who is around you, helping when you can, staying away when fearful things present themselves, and looking up into the sky to admire God's creation. That, to me, is maturity and adulthood, I guess.
Hugs to you my dear. You are doing just fine!
Hi Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteChrist is Risen!
I came across your blog, after you left a supportive comment on Fr. Stephen Freeman's blog about the theology and technology survey he has so graciously posted, for my study, at his blog. :) Thank you for the comment of support! And, being a librarian myself, and also someone who is an Orthodox woman (convert, like you), a working professional, unmarried and trying to live the life in Christ... this post of yours resonates with me. While I don't have any good answers to your questions (I'm 26, kind of a youngin still in some ways, though not in others I suppose), I just wanted to say hello, and share that your post describes me as well. I have subscribed to your blog, so I look forward to reading more of your thoughts and reflections in the future! God bless!
In Christ,
Donna
He is Risen Indeed!
ReplyDeleteHi Donna,
Thanks for your comment! Makes me laugh as now my survey will not be as secret but that is of no matter to me! It is a joy to meet you and you are always welcome here! You are welcome for my support as well - how long have you been a librarian? I was 27 when I started my MLIS... (am 33 now which is mentioned on the post you commented on)... :)
If there is anytime you want to chat about your research project that you are doing, I would be more than happy to do so with you! Librarians must always unite! :)
Again, you are more than welcome here!
In Christ's mercy,
Elizabeth
2 Quick comments back, then I'm gonna force myself to get to work (I work afternoons and evenings, and I'm still in the "email checking" portion of my day, which invariably includes Google Reader as well).
ReplyDelete1) I assure you, your survey responses will remain quite anonymous, since I am not even looking at the data for several months. And I thank you again for taking the time to take it, and your supportive comments about it!
2) I received my MLS in 2007, but got my first professional librarian position (my current one) in early 2008, so I suppose that means I've been a librarian for 3 years, but working as one for 2.
I look forward to more conversations, and thank you for the welcome! Sorry I don't have time to write more now. :) In the meantime, God bless, and Christ is Risen!
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteNo worries! :)
Do you want me to do a promo of Fr. Stephen's request here as well? I was thinking of doing so before we 'met' just because I support Orthodox librarainship :)
Nice! I got my MLIS in 2006 (started 2004) and have worked 3 different jobs (two contract, last one I was laid off, long story and blog history now!). I am currently learning French to try to stay and work at a librarian here in Ottawa...
Have a great time at work! I am currently studying French pronouns myself :)
In Christ
Elizabeth
I thank you for offering to plug Fr. Stephen's post about my survey. I was thinking of saying "yes" to your kind offer, and certainly if you were gonna do it anyway and still would like to, I do not wish to stifle you. However, I am thrilled to report that the survey has been filled out by over 200 people -- WAY more than I ever anticipated would participate! So, in terms of "need" I'd say there is none, for you to plug it here. But again, if you *wish* to (or would have anyway if I hadn't have poked my nose in over here ;) ), please feel free, I would not be upset for the extra exposure of the survey. As long as you're posting a link to Fr. Stephen's blog post, and not directly to the survey... since I want people to enter the survey through his blog, in order to ensure they are readers of his blog before agreeing to participate, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteOK enough from me, sorry for the long-winded comment! Thank you for welcoming me here. You have a lovely space here and I'm happy to add it to the nooks across the web that I visit. :)