Becoming ‘Mia’

Almost a year ago I moved into a new phase of my life, one that up until that point I wasn’t ready to embrace. I became “Mia”.

It happened unexpectedly when I was attending a workshop and there weren’t quite enough chairs. I was about to sit on the floor when a young woman came up to me and offered me hers.

She said, “Here, take my chair, after all, I’m young.” For a moment it seemed as though time stood still, nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I was always the one offering a chair.

People had continually mistaken me for being much younger than I was. One of my claims to fame was getting into the fair for the 16 and under price the summer I turned 30. I spent much of my adult life feeling like I wasn’t taken seriously because of my youthful appearance.

In the moment when I was being offered a chair something shifted in me and I knew it was time to embrace who I truly was. I accepted her offer and received the gift of stepping through an archway into my new life as an older woman.

Like many women in our culture I’ve resisted growing old. I have had the benefit of some great genes thanks to my Mom. Also, I hold the place of youngest in my family so consciously embracing myself as a woman of wisdom has taken awhile.

But like women my age, I have steadily worked my way to wisdom simply because of my life experience. I’ve raised 2 children of my own and 3 stepchildren. Need I say more?

Feeling the joy of marriage and the despair of divorce (both my own and that of my children) has encouraged me to cultivate the art of keeping families together even when they seem to have broken apart.

Ritual has always been a natural part of my nurturing.

A rose for my step daughter in honour of her first menses, a ‘Coming of Age’ ceremony for my youngest son upon turning 13 and ‘Blessing of the Bride’ ceremonies for two of my daughter in laws.

I’ve hosted family wedding showers and baby showers always with a meaningful ritual at the center of the celebration.

It was a natural progression to share my passion for ritual by becoming a mentor to people who are in the midst of transition.

Willingly accepting that young woman’s invitation for a chair helped me realize that it was time to share my gifts from place of wisdom and that deepened my work with my clients.

Three months after stepping through the archway my grandson was born!

He is preciousness personified. I marvel at how natural it is for him to celebrate each moment and I cherish the tenderness I feel towards him.

I love the smile he gets on his face when I arrive at his door. I love the smile in my heart and my unwavering commitment to enjoying him for who he is.

I was born a daughter, chose to become a mother and willingly accept my new role as grandmother.

This side of the archway where I have become “Mia” (grandmother) is a whole new world of wonder.

Are there moments when you’ve stepped through an archway or do you have a sense that one is awaiting you? I invite you to leave a comment.

I feel privileged to be part of the Grandmother Power Blogging Campaign and you can too!