New Year's Eve 2024

 

This picture is more than a decade old, but the view is the same now. This was the view I could see in December on my way to work. I had to pull over and look backwards to see it. I usually got out of the car to take a picture and reflect upon the masterful beauty of the view.

That is what we do each New Year's Eve, isn't it? Stop and pause and look at the view from the previous year. As a new sun rises in 2025, may it be the start of a year of beautiful views for us all to be able to look back upon at the end of the year. Happy New Year1

2022-2023

I look back on this year and for the most part, I think I want to say, “Good riddance.” We had more sickness in our family this year than in other recent years. My empathy meter has been revved up, from feeling guilty this summer enjoying the Cove a bit when due to health, my Dad was unable to even to do one day at the place he loves; to problems others I know were coping with and then there were so many losses for families around me. There just seemed to be so much loss, sadness and sickness. Then I think of 2021 and 2020 with Covid. It wasn’t really so bad for us, but I remember saying, “Good riddance” to those years too. I see a pattern.

We are always glad to see a year end and look forward to the next year being better. We hope that somehow flipping a page on the calendar will magically bring better health and happier times. We have this hope every year. Hope is a good thing. I would hate to dread a new year without hope. So, I won’t think about the years that we wish away and are glad to see end. This could be one of those other years, where there are so many wonderful things coming our way.

Looking back, even though there were bad things, there were certainly good things too. Every year must have some shining spots, For us those included a new baby, money to pay bills, health issues that cleared up, and friends and family nearby. There really is so much to be thankful for. We shouldn’t be so quick to say, “good riddance”. We should say, “thanks for the memories” and hold tight to the good ones.  

Now we will enter a new year with new resolutions, plans, hopes and dreams. A flip of a page, a new year boldly printed above a new picture and blank dates that will become quickly filled in with appointments, obligations but special days too. And then there are the blank dates that we have no clue how fate will fill them in. 2023, we have expectations, but God is in control and we will see how those little calendar squares become labeled as the year goes by.

For our friends and families, may your calendar be filled with completed goals, accomplishments, blessings and special times. And may the blank days be of rest and refreshment. Happy New Year 2023!

Memory Box 2018

It's that time again--time to open our memory box that contains ticket stubs, programs, cards, souvenirs, etc. from our year. 2018 was a remarkable year. It will remain in my memory of one of my favorites. 

In January I unceremoniously turned 65, a number I was not thrilled to be. Nice to be a full-fledged senior with all the perks, but I also understand to some it is termed, "elderly"--a word I don't like to be associated with me. Well, in April, Dad let us all be young at heart by treating us to Disney World. It was a world wind trip with the #crazy12! It probably will be the only vacation with all 12 of us, so it will be a special memory.

George and Ben had a special trip to Vietnam. It was 50 years since George's first "trip". They were gone for 10 days. While they were away on their adventure, my BFF and I went away for a few days to Lake George. 

The in the fall for our anniversary, George and I went to Pennsylvania for vacation. I got to do one of my bucket list items and that was going to Sight & Sound Theater. It was all I had hoped and more. We saw "Jesus" and it was just incredible. The rest of our vacation was awesome--staying in a train mail car one night, having dinner on a train and seeing a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. It was a great vacation.

We saw many plays. My favorites would be "Love Never Dies" and "Scrooge". 

On New Year's Eve, I re-read all the cards and notes we received and re-live the love shared.

We had plenty of other memories in this box too--some sad visits to hospitals and funerals. Losing our sweet brother-in-law, Chuck, was the worse part of the year.

I am still pondering these fortune cookie messages. According to these and our wonderful year, we are not failures. I am not sure that is right to judge your life by what a good time you are having. On the flip side is the other fortune, our trials and tribulations form us and make us stronger.

Well, that's our memory box for this year. It's fun to reflect upon each year as they end. I am glad to say this is one that I will not say, "Good riddance" as others in the past. I will say, "thanks for the memories, 2018." I don't know if 2019 can top this one, but here's to what is yet to come. Happy New Year!

"Whatever"

     I won't sugar coat it. 2013 was the worst year of my life and yet I am having a hard time letting it go. Another year past makes it that much longer since I have seen or heard my Mom, that much longer from the last call, the last hug, the last look.

     As others are saying, "Happy New Year" deep down I am thinking what is happy about it? I will enter another year without a special part of me. Life will never be the same.

     I know in my heart that I have to turn this around. It is hard while still grieving to do this. I know I was so blessed to have her in my life for as long as I did. I have a lifetime of memories to cherish. I have photos and notes and gifts that she gave me. Things she said stay in my mind but then there are the things that are vague that I can no longer call upon her memory to verify. Some things have been lost with her.

     New Year's Eve just seems like the culmination of several of the first milestones that we had to get over without her...her birthday, others of our birthdays without her, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas--six months of firsts. It seems weird that New Year's Eve is hitting me so hard since I can't remember the last New Year's Eve that I spent with her.

     Some may think I should keep all these thoughts personal. I am sharing them here for perhaps someone who is going through similar feelings. I know I am not alone. I hope you can find the strength to focus on the good things. I need to turn things around as best I can--remind myself that each day is a day closer to when we will be reunited once again. I know she would want me to be happy, and she would be sad to know how much happiness she took with her.

     I will get through this. We always do, don't we? Years ago I bought this neat little wall hanging that says, "Whatever!" I just dug it out from a pile on my desk and I am going to put it where I can see it every day. "Whatever!" is going to be my goal for 2014.

     Before you question this, I need to explain this plaque better. Inside of the letters of the word, "whatever" are written the following, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable, whatever is honorable, think about these things. Phillipians 4:8. Remember...God is with you--whatever, whenever, wherever, forever!" I cannot think of a better New Year's resolution.

     So, before I archive 2013 as the worst year of my life, I will credit the year with a fun memory. I was honored to be the Grand Marshall in the East Hartland Fireman's Parade this year. It was such a fun "ride" and I, forever the one to "connect the dots", find it fun to remember another parade in East Hartland 52 years ago. We had lived in East Hartland only a few months when I was bestowed the honor of becoming one of the princesses in the bi-centennial parade. It is another long story about how I ended up with the honor, so I won't go into that at this time. I feel I've come full circle now. As fondly as I remember the first parade, I remember this last one and am thankful to all who made it possible. 

      See, I did find something positive. I hope you will have a New Year with many good "whatevers" to focus on.