This Fall seems to be full of transitions, and I am trying to keep up with it all, but honestly, always feel like I am falling behind. No pun intended. I keep thinking things will begin to simplify and slow down, but the pace just seems to get faster. Since this is my favorite time of year, however, I am trying to revel in that wonderful fact.

I drove my son up to Santa Cruz last week for the sophomore installment of college. The eight hour car trip was one of the funniest and most enjoyable road experiences I have ever had. We spent quite some time engineering how to fit all his belongings in the back of my small SUV, and by the time the tires hit the road at 5am nearly every inch of my car was occupied. Thankfully, he doesn’t have a huge wardrobe, so we were somehow able to fit the important stuff: mountain bike, unicycle, surfboard, shelving unit, dresser, violin and fan.

He is living in the classic college house, located two blocks from the beach, in one of the nicest neighborhoods imaginable. When I say “classic,” I mean the landlord bought this house some 25 years ago, hasn’t done a single upgrade and it has been on a revolving rental program to college kids ever since. I think it is fair to say it is somewhat of a slum house compared to the rest of the hood. Six boys will be occupying the house within the month.

The landlord made a point of saying that it was smart to be friendly to the neighbors, but no need to go around introducing oneself to them. This seems sensible given the potential for a hostile encounter if they know which house you reside in. I would imagine they are all dreaming of the day when the house collapses from overuse, or is accidentally set ablaze by a drunken and/or reckless student.

Back home, I am once again adjusting to the nest being less full. I am one of those mothers who actually enjoys having her children around, and I know part of it is that I am always trying to recapture some of the time I lost while dealing with all the drama over the last four years. I also just really adore my kids.

I’m very excited to be in the process of reworking my website and shifting my focus toward working with people who have experienced a similar kind of loss as my family has. There seem to be so many of us out there, and I hope to spare folks the sense of paralyzing isolation and loneliness I went through.

I am also closer to completing my book, which is very exciting, as well as writing articles for national publication. All huge steps for a little gal who was a self-conscious and frightened woman a mere four years ago. This journey has turned me inside out and upside down in so many ways it is difficult to know which end is up any longer. At last, I feel ready to own the lessons I have learned and share the wisdom that came with them in a bigger way.

I hope to be moving in the direction that Ralph Waldo Emerson spoke of when he said:

“To leave the world a bit better, whether by healthy child, a garden patch, or redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you live — that is to have succeeded.”

Wishing you a transformative and beautiful Fall.

-db

Who is Dianna Bonny?

Hi, my name is Dianna Bonny. It’s my mission to candidly share my journey with you. For me, it’s all about the healing: to create a radiant healing energy for others who have befallen a similar fate. Together, we can forge beautiful lives of belonging and connection. Thanks for joining me today! I look forward to hearing from you.