Let’s call her Jane. But not Jane Doe. She’s a real person, a friend from years back; but due to moves and changes we’d lost touch. Then, a year and a half ago I came across a grave marker with her name on it.
How did she die, and when? The oddest thing was that I was in Papua New Guinea. Had Jane been there? I knew her from Texas. Had her family sent her body back there for some reason? It was a mystery.
Then, last week I was in Dallas for other business and someone mentioned Jane. “She’s alive?” I asked. “Of course. She still works here, she’s just left for the day.”
I learned that she’s now single; her two sons are reaching the age of independence, and she’s doing fine. I got her phone number and called her from the airport.
“Jane? Is that you? Then you ARE alive!”
I must say her hearty laugh was wonderful to hear as I told my story. It turns out that Jane had served in Papua New Guinea many years ago, during which time she suffered a miscarriage at five months and named the unborn baby after her. She said if I had looked at the date I might have figured it out. But no matter. I recalled Mark Twain’s saying that the rumors of his death were highly exaggerated.
We continued to laugh and then moved on with a brief catching up. She told me of the work she’d been doing, experiencing the richest period of her life, spending half of each year in Thailand teaching eager students to read. Moreover, she was able to design her own curriculum, something she’s highly capable of doing. Then the program ended.
So, being the self-appointed life coach that I sometimes am, I jumped right in and said, “Now that you’re not dead after all you have another chance to design your life exactly as you want it!”
It was all with a big laugh, but I meant it too.
I told my own story of taking a mid-life risk, the initial courage required, the guidance that followed, and the resultant happiness (and sometimes usefulness) since.
She was listening.
“You could devise something like Jane’s Mind Opening Literacy for Thailand and Beyond dot Org! Or whatever.”
I went on with how it’s important work, that it’s not being done, not in the way she could do it, not with the people that only she could reach. And there are ways to make it happen, including the financial part.
Besides, she’s at a moment in her life where she’s free to do it. She’s ALIVE!
It’s great fun to design someone else’s life when no courage is required on my part. But I believe Jane has the same amount of courage as anyone else: about one mustard seed’s worth.
In the end I said I’d call her again in six months . . . just to see what she’s thinking. These are important things to think about.
(Let me know if you’d also like a call from me in six months.)
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
11:53 am
Isn’t it wonderful how we are given opportunities to redesign our life when we find our final purpose? You always inspire others, Hyatt, especially Janes!
1:30 pm
We’d love a call ANYTIME. (^_^) You ARE in our prayers, you know…such a great article
2:12 pm
Hi Hyatt,
I tried to say good-bye to you in church but you were gone in a blink. Just wanted to thank you and your lovely wife for the inspiration you both have been to me. I’m painting now and love it! The story you told was sweet and encouraging as Marky and I start a new seaason of our lives in La Quinta.
Bless you for all you do, and who you are in Christ!
Always your friend,
Aida
2:40 pm
Thanks, Hyatt! I needed that!
2:46 pm
My season of redesign came in the wake of a life-threatening illness, which removed me from a long career which I loved. “What’s the point?” I thought, initially. However, while in recovery, a friend asked me, “What have you always wanted to do?” Long story short, it’s precisely what I’m doing today, fifteen years later, and I’ve never been happier. I’m not sure God’s blessing is in the actual harm we go through, but he does have a way of redeeming any loss or unplanned change, and making it good.
11:00 pm
Very timely for me too, Hyatt, fitting well into what God has already been revealing to me as I make decisions for the future. Thank you!
9:48 am
Hyatt, this is also fitting for me as I am nearing the empty nester stage. Thanks for the inspiration as always. You & Anne are always welcome to stop by for a cup of coffee (and check up on my progress.)
11:13 am
Call me in 6 months