Catching My Second Wind

By Joy Nevin Axelson

Last year, I turned 50. Instead of getting a new car or a new husband, I decided to take a writing class. I’ve been writing poetry since fourth grade. Most of it is saccharine drivel about unicorns and dreams. However, the writing class inspired me to compose new poetry and nonfiction and seek publication for it. Since then, I’ve written 17 songs, had 30 poems published, and have penned several helpful articles.

RESOLVE TO LEAVE A LEGACY

As in life, games are won or lost in the second half. Regardless of the missteps and missed opportunities of the first half of my life, I resolved to leave a legacy. Passing down stories, photographs, and traditions are wonderful ways to make a difference now and in the future. Focusing our efforts on what we are good at and passionate about also helps us leave our mark in the world. Here are three actions to take, even if you are not a writer, to flourish in this season of life.

CAPTURE YOUR STORIES

First of all, chronicle your family history before everyone who remembers it is gone. I recently unearthed an essay my grandmother wrote. It recounted how she worked on the farm and how her family got their first car. In riveting detail, she recounted a true story about a time when she was driving a pair of horses that ran away with her. (If you’re curious, she bailed out and the horses sprinted back to the barn.) She noted meeting my grandfather and described her love of adventure. It won’t win any awards, and most people won’t care about these stories, but my family loved them. You don’t have to type either. Just open an email, a note, or a document and use the voice-to-text feature. You can edit the story later. 

In addition, consider putting together a physical or digital scrapbook of family memories. Every year on their birthdays, I drag out my children’s baby books. It keeps them grounded and reminds them that they have always been loved. I don’t have time to photo-document every event, but I always make Christmas scrapbooks. Each year, we go through them and see our loved ones who are no longer with us enjoying holidays. I also scrapbook exciting trips like ours to Greece, Brazil, and Spain.

PASS ON TRADITIONS

In 2017, a mystery illness took me out for three months. The symptoms included massive headaches, blurry vision, and extreme fatigue. I was convinced I had a brain tumor. So, while awaiting MRI results, I created the “Mom’s Cooking Club” cookbook. It features Grandma Axelson’s Swedish meatball recipe, Papou’s Greek egg-lemon soup, and my dad’s famous oatmeal cookies. It contains all of our family’s favorite main dishes and desserts. I made sure that, in my absence, my kids could make Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas cookies the way I do. I took photos of my two kids making each recipe with me, and they accompany the 30 recipes. Even if you are not a gourmet chef, your family likely has some traditions linked to food. Why not memorialize them in a homemade cookbook?

FOLLOW YOUR PASSION AND GIFTING

The last way to leave a legacy is to discover your gifting and passion and begin focusing on them. What subject makes your eyes light up with excitement when you discuss it? What do you excel at? What activities make you feel fulfilled? Make a list of things you love. 

For me, it is speaking French, scrapbooking, traveling, and teaching. I’m blessed that my husband has a “real” job that covers our costs. This frees me to do whatever activities, whether paid or volunteer, that I feel called to. This has enabled me to blossom and reach my full potential. At age 48, I discovered what I was made to do. I translate training materials for a child sponsorship charity and travel to its 12 international locations to teach ESL camps. Does it pay the bills? No, but I have never felt so convinced that I am leveraging my skills to make a lasting difference in the world. What is it that only you can do? 

Grab a cup of coffee or some iced tea and find somewhere quiet. Break out a journal or digital note and brainstorm about how you can use your history, hobbies, and gifts to make your life count.