Today our country celebrates Independence Day. It’s not a typical year of the crowd-gathering festivals and celebrations, but there’ll be plenty of backyard barbecues and meals with family and friends. We take time to remember how our country earned its freedom and recognize that many men and women have sacrificed to maintain the liberties we enjoy– and often forget.
Photo by Josh Willink on Pexels.com
For some of us, this year is not typical. Beyond the ways the pandemic has changed all of our lives, we’re facing individual challenges that we’ve never encountered. I’ll remember this July 4th as the year I moved toward my personal independence.
I’ve spent the last three days clearing out and cleaning out our home that’ll we’ll hand over to the new owner next week. Today my husband met me at the house and we went about our tasks– much like we did when we were together. I cleared out the refrigerator and he cleaned the garage. We stopped occasionally to talk about our sons and grandsons and continued to divide the contents that remain. I wondered how we could have accumulated six bottles of mustard, three containers of every major bathroom cleaner, and enough light bulbs for all of Durham.
While this has been a most exhausting move, it’s also been satisfying knowing that I’m going forward, crossing over ‘The Gap’ I’ve mentioned in previous posts. Selling our home, dividing our belongings from forty years of marriage, and moving into my apartment–the first place I’ve had by myself, feels like I’ve stepped on several rocks in that river of transition.
Photo by Ian Turnell on Pexels.com
There have been so many decisions that I’ve made by myself that for years I’d made with my husband. I’ve not been alone in this process; God has provided direction through the ‘still small voice’ that is within me. Stepping forward without leaning on another person develops confidence.
Over the past year, there have been many times I’ve had to stop that well-rehearsed, automatic, spouse-pleasing response and think, “What do I want?”
I suspect there are many people, not necessarily going through a divorce, who need to step back and ask this same question, “What do I want?” Sometimes we’re so consumed with the needs of others that we lose ourselves in the process. On this ‘Independence Day’ there may be areas of our lives where we need the freedom of making our own decisions, feeling positive about the direction that is right for us.
My new apartment is filled with boxes to be unpacked. I feel that disequilibrium that is not being sure which box marked ‘kitchen’ has my cereal bowls and which has the pan for frying my eggs. Guess by the time I got down to those final items I ran out of energy for being specific of the contents. It reminds me of six years ago when we moved into this house which we’re now selling. In spite of having boxes to unpack, I made the decision that I must go on my solo journey.
That year I took my longest road trip ever, and traveled to Michigan. One of my stops was in the town of Petoskey. There, I ate lunch at Jesperson’s, a downtown restaurant known for its cherry pies. The dessert was as tasty as I’d heard, made with those tart cherries and balanced with the sweetness of vanilla ice cream. I was very tired when I’d headed to Michigan but sitting at the table eating that pie, along with all the adventures along the way, made me glad I’d pushed beyond my tiredness.
Today my older sister, Harriet offered me a ‘curbside’ 4th of July meal from her kitchen; She reminds me of Mama in the way she likes to feed people. Sweaty and too tired to get out of my car, Harriet brought my tray of food to me.
What a feast! There was grilled steak and chicken, grilled fresh peaches, grilled egg plant, tossed salad, baked beans, warm beer bread, and— for dessert, freshly baked cherry pie! I will eat my final meal in my ‘old’ house, sitting on a lawn chair and using an empty overturned box for my table.
Afterwards, I’ll finish this post and then pack the car with one more load to take to my ‘new home’ before it’s dark. And to reward my very hard day, I’ll heat up that cherry pie and have a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Actual picture of that slice of pie at Jesperson’s in 2014.
And I would offer you some of my pie– but I never share dessert! And again, that reminds me of Mama (her birthday was July 9th). She heard me tell someone that I never share dessert, to which she looked at me with a frown and said, “That’s ugly.” That wasn’t the only time I heard her make that remark.
It’s time to finish this post so I can load the car. My hope is that you’re celebrating this Independence Day in the way that you desire. And may the time between now and the next Independence Day have us both navigating to New Beginnings that bring us life and joy.
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Connie Rosser Riddle 
Connie, May today be your very first Independence Day, and a start to a future still filled with sparklers and fireworks! Good luck getting settled into your new place. If you can’t find the frying pan and cereal bowls, go out for bagels. 🙂
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Hey Karen,
I’m chuckling at the suggestion for a bagel! Sound about right at this time of disorganization. Thanks so much for your good wishes–at this time and since I’ve known you! Hope you’re mending well and enjoying your holiday!
Connie
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Happy Independence Day to you Connie in all it’s connotations. And congratulations on your new beautiful grandson!! Loved your essay!!
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Hey Mary,
Thanks so much for your good wishes and for your support of my writing. I thought about your premier that we missed–which was the same time that my daughter-in-law went in to have Parks. Hope there’ll be another premier in the near future.
Best to you and Heinz,
Connie
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What a wonderful post! Sending love, hugs, and continued prayers for you on your journey. I love you ❣️
On Sat, Jul 4, 2020, 8:18 PM Connie Rosser Riddle wrote:
> conniesedona317 posted: “Today our country celebrates Independence Day. > It’s not a typical year of the crowd-gathering festivals and celebrations, > but there’ll be plenty of backyard barbecues and meals with family and > friends. We take time to remember how our country earned its f” >
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Hey Sandra,
Thanks so much for reading and for your supportive comments. I hope you and Mike have been enjoying your holiday.
Thanks for your prayers. The support of my family and friends has meant so much over the past year.
Love to you,
Connie
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This isn’t easy for you but gosh Connie, I so admire the grace and fortitude you are showing through this process – it’s hugely inspiring for those of us who are also embarking on our own journeys of independence. Wishing you every happiness in your new home xx
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Hey Marie,
Thanks so much for your encouraging words and ongoing support. I wish you the best as you embark on your journey–finding your way across the river to a better place.
Fondly,
Connie
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Cheers, Connie, to moving forward and to all the new adventures ahead of you.
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Hey Wendy,
Thanks so much!
Over the past months, I’ve thought of you and your love of Scotland. I’d made tentative plans to celebrate my ‘new life’ by going with my cousin to Skye at the first of October to take her mother’s ashes– her last wish. Her mother’s folks were McDonalds from that area. With all the concerns about COVID, we’ve postponed our trip for at least a year.
I hope that next Independence Day, we’re making solid plans to go there. I’ll be seeking travel advice from you.
Hope you’re doing well, Wendy.
Best to you,
Connie
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The virus has really messed things up for everybody. Hopefully you and your cousin will be able to visit next year. It sounds like it will be a very meaningful trip.
We were supposed to travel to Scotland in May. We are now rescheduled for next May, but my cynical side tells me not to get too excited. I have a feeling this thing is going to be around for awhile. Let’s pray there is a vaccine soon!
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I agree– that we’re in for longer than we’d thought. I won’t feel comfortable until more is known and a vaccine shows efficacy.
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Thanks for mentioning my post, Marie.
Best,
Connie
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I read this last night and had to come back this morning to comment ~~ I know you may not be able to see it right now, but there is so much strength in this post. He will not lead you to it without leading you through it ~ you’ve got this!
-MJ
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Hey MJ,
Thanks for coming back to share your response! I appreciate your perspective because sometimes in the midst of challenges it’s hard to see how we’re doing. Yes, I do believe God has this–and has from the beginning and until the end.
I hope you’re doing well and wish you the best for the week ahead, MJ.
Fondly,
Connie
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Oh, how I admire the Love that you put into your posts. I can see there is healing in what you choose to share, “unlike dessert”. Even though, if offered, I would have declined, only knowing the importance of the event. This unique year is one that will remain in the minds of us older folks, as “the year to act in saving our Heritage, We must act now or allow those with no skin in the game to win and abolish the concept of Freedom. Love, Safety, and Health to you as you navigate through the Gap, and emerge another wonderful and beautiful soul you have always been.
John,
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Hey John,
Thanks so much for reading and for your supportive comments.
Best to you as you navigate this year. May you also know Love, Safety and Health.
Connie
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