The tree that is pictured above is the inspiring force behind my post today. If you look carefully, you will see that the entire top half is about to fall off the tree (it was snapped in half by a snow storm almost one month ago). This tree is very close to our school playground, which has forced us to close half the playground until we can get the tree cut down properly. Apparently there is only one company in our area that cuts down trees and the company is not equipped to cope with all the trees that collapsed in our city during the last snow. So, for now we wait. We wait for the tree removal company or for mother nature to take her course. Either way, the students are a little less entertained on the playground until we can declare the half near the dangling tree safe again.
As we wait, not so patiently, for the tree to be removed, it reminds me of so many waiting games I see around me at the moment – it is so hard to be on the edge of information, waiting for all sorts of decisions and results.
Our seniors are waiting to hear from universities, not just regarding acceptances, but also about scholarships. Some of our parents are waiting to hear about future employment, hoping that they can move to a new challenge that will afford them and their family more opportunities. Some families find that their child is not progressing academically – they are waiting too, often barely able to breathe, to find out if their child is struggling with a learning disability and needs extra support.
I find that, no matter the outcome, the waiting (for me) is so very difficult. Whether the news is outstanding or overwhelming, once a person has heard the decision they can move on and plan for alternative opportunities. I have seen the relief on the faces of our parents when they receive information on their child and finally understand how to support them. I also see relief when new jobs are announced and our parents gear up for new family adventures.
Today, 14 days ’til 40, I am going to work to calm myself when my own family is in the midst of waiting games – and I will also strive to be sensitive to the many families that surround me, all of which are struggling with their own waiting games.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
toniandrukaitis
February 7, 2013 at 00:55
I am happy to be waiting for another day. Someday, I won’t have that option.
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:13
Good point!
knitxpressions
February 7, 2013 at 01:38
For a waiting person, one minute or even one second is like an eternity…so take a deep breath and let it out slow…I sometimes find doing that helps to calm the heart and the mind of the waiting anxiety.
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:13
Yes, this is so true – one minute can feel like forever…. I am so glad you reminded people to breathe! 🙂
sharonhughson
February 7, 2013 at 02:33
Any chance you are also waiting for the fateful day of 4-0? It’s only two weeks away now.
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:12
hehehe – perhaps! 🙂
deWriterMD
February 7, 2013 at 03:56
Reblogged this on MetaRead360 Small Press presents and commented:
Tick, tick, tick….:)
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:11
🙂
behindthemaskofabuse
February 7, 2013 at 04:01
when i saw the pic, the first thing i thought of was a tree standing strong even in the midst of the storm or adversity..
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:11
Wow, I LOVE your tree interpretation!
behindthemaskofabuse
February 8, 2013 at 00:54
and i love yours 🙂
Scribelife
February 7, 2013 at 04:36
There are few things worse than being in limbo, waiting for an answer so you can create a plan. You made me curious, now I have 547 days until 40.
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:10
Yes, I agree!
Another Thousand Words
February 7, 2013 at 04:38
It is so easy for one to say to another, “Just be patient.”, 400. We must learn to conquer and control our impatience (exactly what YOU are doing!), however, before we blithely state those words to someone else. We really CANNOT ‘walk in their shoes’–experience the fears they are surrounded with, even though we think we ‘understand’.
Many allow their emotions to overtake them and, therefore, the ‘waiting impatiently’ becomes enhanced in a detrimental manner.
The best thing I could advise is, “Stop…stop for some amount of time…and think.” This seems to always bring calm, that level-headed calm, when that little voice inside says, “Be patient.” Yes, WE must listen to ourselves, and not so much to others, in order to be in control.
Great post, with wonderful analogies, 400! Not long now, is it?
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:09
Wow, what great points! Yes, it is not long now – and I find myself getting sad…. blogging every single day for 400 days was an incredible amount of work and pressure, but now that the journey is almost over – I feel a bit of a loss. It has become such a part of my daily routine. Don’t worry, I will keep blogging, just not sure yet what the new transformation will look like.
Another Thousand Words
February 8, 2013 at 03:36
Take your time, 400! It will be excellent, I’m certain!
heartflow2013
February 7, 2013 at 07:41
Yes, patience is not easy – I honor your work in these difficult days! Tomas
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:08
Thank you, Tomas!
iknead2knit
February 7, 2013 at 16:12
Sometimes I have to repeat “patience is a virtue” over and over to myself. Sometimes, it even works! Thanks for reading.
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:06
I do similar sometimes! Or start to knit ferociously!!! 🙂
Heather
February 7, 2013 at 17:38
yes…waiting is such a difficult thing to do…yet it is something we all experience for one reason or another…it is hard to keep the “what ifs” at bay…
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:06
Yes, it really is hard!
sueannporter1
February 7, 2013 at 21:07
40 is not so bad! I am over 50!
400daystil40
February 7, 2013 at 23:06
🙂
vocalizard
February 8, 2013 at 08:03
Waiting is not so hard when you have knitting with you! In fact, waiting for things is just an excuse to revel in the best of all hobbies! I suppose that can apply to other hobbies as well, but I have a suspicion you’ll agree with me. 😉
400daystil40
February 9, 2013 at 23:38
Very good points! I do find the same – I am a much more patient when I have my knitting with me (I have learned to bring it to doctor appointments so I do not get antsy in waiting rooms!)