Reflections on the New Year

I read a post earlier that I love.  "Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book.  Write a good one."

It's new year's eve and I'm pondering the resolutions that I want to make for 2014.   I'm wondering what my book will be like.    I want it to be filled with love and adventure...tender moments and joy... unexpected blessings.      I'm sure it will be like other years where there are disappointments...final goodbyes...rainy days.

I've written my "resolutions" for the new year - except I call them goals.   There are the typical ones - exercise every day, a healthier diet, get better organized.   I'm also challenging myself to do something new:   tomorrow I will start a Gratitude Journal.

Each day of 2014, I will take time to write down one thing that I am grateful for.   I'm sure I could write ten or twelve things each day; but I want to be very intentional and write just one.    There will be days when I don't feel well or things haven't gone well - those days will be more challenging.   No matter how bad the day goes, I know that I am loved and cherished by God and that I have abundant blessings - so I will write them down.    If I'm having one of those days that you think I won't remember to be grateful, please remind me.    I promise it will make me smile.

Wishing each of you ... my family and dear friends ... a new year filled with good health, joy, blessings, love ... and gratitude.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Blessings

I love Christmastime.   I enjoy decorating the house....shopping for gifts....wrapping...preparing cards to send to dear friends and family...festive gatherings....catching up with people that have been longtime friends.    I love the season of Advent.   The special services at our church leading up to the beautiful celebration of the birth of our Saviour on Christmas Eve.    I love watching the grandchildren as they grow up and experience this holiday season.    This year the grandchildren range in age from 3 to 14...and seeing Christmas through their eyes truly brings it to life for me. 

Adam and Joel got to ride on a Christmas float the day after Thanksgiving and throw candy to the crowd.    Tyler, Nick, Paige, Heather and Caitlyn went to Chattanooga to ride the North Pole Express and visit with Santa.   Precious memories for all of them.

We've now become the grandparents who live away.   We didn't move ... but most of the children and grandchildren did.    Emile is in Oregon and absolutely loves life in the northwest.   It's our new normal.   We've been accustomed to making a trip to New York City in December....perhaps now we will visit grandchildren instead.   What fun it would be to see them in a school play...or just hear them talk about their Christmas plans.   Yes - definitely more fun!

 

We still have Tyler and Mallory close by.   Their wedding is approaching and it is such a fun time to be near them and enjoy all the festivities.     I am so thankful for our family....and our friends.   All those that we get to see and spend time with during this blessed season.    I'm thankful for Skype and facetime - that allow us to see the faces of those we are talking to.    I'm thankful for funny stories from the past that we can share...and new stories to be added to that list.    And most important I am thankful for the reason for the season.....otherwise none of it really matters.

Merry Christmas.....