An empty "nestler"
Among Other Things
Latest Flathead-Mission Valley resident to become a published author is Jan Irwin of Polson. Her book is “Random Reflections of an Empty-Nestler.”
No, that isn’t a typo. Jan, and her husband, Dr. Steve Irwin, have joined the always growing number of parents whose children leave home to attend college, for work or to join the military. But Jan prefers to call herself an empty “nestler,” an original term. She explains in the book that she wants to convince readers that they “should not only accept our empty-nesting seasons of life, but rather ‘nestle’ into it. When we settle down comfortably and snugly into our new season, we find peace in the process, new ways to serve, fresh insight and opportunities we might never have dreamed of before.”
It took a while for the concept to develop. Helping were the words of a Dutch survivor of Nazi concentration camps, the late Corrie ten Boom, “Nestle, don’t wrestle.”
Jan said, “As I pondered her words I decided to become an ‘empty NESTLER.’ It’s so much more fun than being an empty wrestler.”
For years, Jan Irwin has kept a journal of significant moments and experiences in her life. As she reviewed the journal entries and other items of family memorabilia, keepsakes, personal poems she wrote over the years, Scripture passages, and more, the idea occurred of writing a book that might be helpful to other empty nesters.
The author wrote, “I pray that you will relate in a personal way to many of the life situations that I share and that you will be encouraged, no matter the path you currently walk. When I mention my children by name, I hope that you will mentally substitute the names of your own children.”
The reflections vary in size, scope and topic; some include personal poems, prayers and biblical references. “To sit with you by a cozy fire over a cup of tea would be my preference. I love one-on-one encounters and would rather not be separated by the pages and bindings of a book. But if I can touch your heart with my book, perhaps this will be the next-best thing,” she said.
Some of the intriguing stories include The Eagle and the Coot, Sideline Pirates, A Tapestry of Love, The Canoe Trip, Moon Rise over the Missions, Soaking Mama, Cougar, Letting Go, and The Most Important Day.
Original poetry includes such titles as Love, Friendship, Attitude, Trees, Show Me the Light, Embrace the Truth, Follow, She Loved Much, Worry, For Such a Time as This, Going Home, and more.
Jan said that in her writing she wants to “glorify God, edify and encourage people.” And she does that with an informal, easy-to- read style that reflects the “stuff of life” – love, faith, humor, joy, sorrow, adventure, and challenges.
Natives of Indiana, the Irwins came to Polson in 1983 when Steve Irwin established his own medical practice. He has been a member of Saint Joseph Medical Center since that time.
They became empty “nestlers” in 2005. After retiring as a school nurse, it took Jan three years to compile her book. All proceeds will be donated to ministry related projects.
The Irwin boys, Tyler and Spencer, are graduates of Indiana University. Tyler’s degree is in marketing and Spencer’s is in exercise physiology. The Irwins have long been interested in auto racing. The boys have many stock car victories at Mission Valley Speedway and Kalispell Raceway Park, and more recently in open wheel racing with the United States Auto Club.
Both boys have been active in church and missions work. Tyler’s involvement with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) included three months in Belize, two months in Mexico, and four months with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Indianapolis, Ind. Spencer’s missions travels have included trips to Honduras, Florida and Uganda.
This is Jan’s first book. However, she did write an article for Safari Magazine about the experiences she and her husband had during a safari in Tanzania. I have a hunch that she’ll be writing more magazine articles in the future. She definitely has the gift of writing that ”glorifies God, edifies and encourages people.”
Jan will have a book signing from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23 at the New Life Book Store in Polson.