P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-I-O-N. Procrastination can be defined as the action or delaying or postponing something. Often times, procrastination carries a negative connotation. We’re told not to procrastinate many times in life – especially when we are considering homework. We often “put off” what we don’t want to do. However, procrastination can actually be a gift. It can allow us the time we need to process whatever it is our mind is working on in the background. 

Procrastination is real – and as we experience the change of seasons and return to school (however that may look for each of us this fall), we face opportunities for procrastination all around us. Now, I simply love the change of season from summer to fall as we turn to “sweater weather” and new school supplies. I could argue my love for each season, but that would delay my intent – and no more procrastinating here! 

I have been procrastinating. My mind has been working on this blog in the background for the past month. My eldest son, who turned 18 and graduated this past May, is now “off to college” right here in my backyard (across town) and across campus from my office. I have written this blog over and over in many different ways in my mind since he moved into the dorms a month ago. I wasn’t ready to write it with all that was going on and the busyness of another new academic year commencing. In truth, I just plain wasn’t ready to write it – so I didn’t type it. It was going to make it too real. I was enjoying the idea that my son “had gone off to camp” and nothing had really changed. It’s not like he moved across the state or country, right? So why couldn’t I write it? I was trying to avoid the seasons of change – as much as I do love autumn, I wasn’t ready for “sweater weather.” Moving him in to his dorm was not hard – just hot outside (and inside with no air conditioning). What made it hard – walking by his bedroom at home to see it “empty” without him AND his bed was made.

You see – I have preached the importance of bed-making for years. I am avid bed-maker. It is one thing to be accomplished at the start of the day – and crawling into a “made” bed at the end of a long day is heavenly. I have been making my bed since I was 10 years old – or at least that was the moment I remember thinking, “I like this and will do this always.” I am apparently the only one of my siblings to have this thought. 😉 Fast-forward… I have harped on my sons to make their beds for years… and slowly started to get tired of the fight or maybe just realized it is not a fight that needs to be fought or as important as I once had thought. I do continue to send them small messages from time to time to remind them of the importance of bed-making, which they politely ignore. This is just one of the many delicate hints that I have shared with my boys –

Going back to see that empty bedroom with the bed made, caused me to pause and realize I was parenting an adult child now. He had grown up and learned many valuable lessons – some from me and some from others. Maybe I had “done okay” with parenting… or maybe not? I think that is the struggle and what makes this so hard. Parenting may not end, but it definitely changes, and we have moved to a new season of parenting. Like moving from the freedom of summer to the routine of fall, I have moved from parenting my child to mentoring my child in a whole new, unknown way. Did I do a good enough job in the last season? Will I do an okay job in the next season? Only time will tell. This makes me sad and reminiscent – and makes me happy and hopeful at the same time. 

Sappy stuff aside and funny part of the story now… it turns out that his Dad/my husband made my son’s bed – and not my son after all. So as seasons change, somethings don’t. Cheers to a great semester and year, son! May you make your bed and not procrastinate. Always remember that I’m here for you whether you do or don’t make your bed. 🙂

May everyone have a great academic year full of challenges to be accomplished and beds to be made!

Well, it’s been a month into the making (writing and rewriting)… so I had better “just send it” because it doesn’t stop the seasons of change from happening.

Stay Calm & Embrace the Seasons of Change! 
Profs Dr. Wendy & Dr. V. 

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm to  you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” ~ Jeremiah 29:11