Year End Thinking

Well, 2008 is coming to an end in just a few days and so will this year of my life as my birthday is on Dec. 31 as well. That way, each new year is a new year for me. That is a very interesting way to live, I think, but actually that is the only way I have lived all my life! So, a year in review means that there have been losses and gains, joys and sadnesses, highs and lows. Something for everyone, I suppose. I have ceased to teach full-time and am now trying to pursue my love of writing. That pursuit is a challenge and sometimes seems like a rusty wheel that is slowly getting going! I hope it gets moving more quickly as 2009 comes into full swing!

Well, this blog is fun and it seems like writing to anyone out there is an odd way of thinking but here goes. If you read this, post a thought, and that will give me something to think about in 2009!

Happy New Year!

Janet on fire!

When I think about Christmases past, I am reminded of one many years ago when Janet was a little girl. She had a brand-new dress made of some material she picked out herself. We invited several single ladies from our neighborhood over for dinner and opened presents on Christmas Eve. One of our friends who worked in the hospital with my husband brought home an abandoned baby boy from the pediatric ward that year so he would not have to spend the evening alone. After our special dinner we sat around the living room, singing Christmas songs and talking about the Christmas story. In the midst of it all, Janet plopped down onto the coffee table, as she often did, only this time, she sat down close to a candle. Before anyone could say anything, she had caught the puffy sleeve on her new dress on fire! One of the nurses quickly poured fruit punch all over her, rescuing Janet with only a slightly burned dress!

Afterward, we blew out all the candles and turned on the lamps instead, and continued singing “Silent Night, Holy Night” mindful that we were truly blessed—family, friends, safety and a Blessed Savior--who rescues all who are alone!

Back when we were children the best part of the season was the Christmas boxes. They were shoe boxes and we'd put them out and we all would get fruit and sugarplums. I remember in our shoeboxes we always got an orange and some raisins and a few nuts. And, a real treat was a banana! Alice would say that she always admired all the rest of us because we could save our fruit and nuts for later but she always couldn't wait and ate it all up on Christmas Day! Back in those days we ate ALL the orange--zest and all. It always tasted so good! We didn't throw anything away. I guess we just didn't know how healthy it was to eat all those apple peelings!

Story told by sisters remembering back to the '30's

thinking after Thanksgiving

We have so much for which to be thankful. I wonder if I will ever be grateful enough! This week of vacation and time together was healthful and restorative. The rhythm of the ocean and the cry of the gulls, the grit of the soft sand, and the warm sun--such restores the soul. Today I start this new blog. We shall see what the Lord does with it.