Thanks, Brenda. I hope I’ll remember this the next time I have a nightmare about bleachers tipping over. ha. Bleachers can be a good thing! 🙂

Thanks for these insights, Mona. And this is the third mention in a week from various sources referring to Women Who Run With the Wolves – I’ll take that as a sign that I really need to move that book higher on my to-read list! 🙂

I tend to prefer work in the shadows too, and yes, it sometimes has felt that work is invisible and unappreciated. I had to have several pep talks with myself especially when I was raising kids that even when no one saw my work, what I did still had value. Although in one volunteer job I have now delivering meals, I am the face of the work and get TOO much credit, when I know the real work was spent by someone else in their kitchen for hours planning and preparing the food. When someone thanks me too much, I have to remind them that it’s not me that deserves any credit but the cooks. 🙂

I love your imagery that you were a bridge for your community – I hope I’ll remember that for myself too! Thanks, Melissa.

Thanks, Michele. This particular passage has been more challenging than most. The language is a bit archaic so the phrases don’t roll off my tongue (or through my brain) very easily. 😉

I love your series of questions, Jean! They are useful to me too. I’ve been thinking about my bleacher dreams for some time and wondering what they could possibly mean. I’m exploring more possibilities now. And you’re right that this is such a crazy time of uncertainty as we try to decide what is ours to do and what is not ours to do in this upheaval. Sometimes I don’t feel like anything I do makes a difference. But then I remember that my actions are at least making a difference in me, if nowhere else, and that counts for something.

The people on the sidelines can truly be a gift too, Martha! Every team appreciates having a crowd of supporters who will cheer them on. We all have different roles at different times. I love your choice to play an encouragement role for this season you’re in.

Good points, Barbara. Our “games” change as we move through life, and usually leaving one behind makes room for a new one. Yes, there is always plenty to do for each of us.

I know what you mean – sometimes the cheerleaders can be a bit bothersome when they actually prevent us from getting more involved with the game instead of engaging us more with it. ha. It’s interesting how homefield advantage really is a thing though when there is a good crowd supporting their team.