So, last year at this time, I said “goodbye” to 2016. It had been a really tough year—with my thyroidectomy, knee problems, and my mom’s rapidly failing health after two broken hips in a row. When she died in September of 2016, I knew it couldn’t get much worse.
But I was positive that 2017 was going to be a better year, and man, did it ever exceed expectations! Now, I’m sitting in a hot bath after two days of driving and dropping callie off at the airport, and reflecting on the year.
2017 began with a silent prayer—asking God to forgive me for my moments of ingratitude and self pity as taking care of my mom’s needs began to take its toll. And I thanked Him for the extended period of gentle and loving goodbyes we got to say to each other before she passed away in her sleep.
And then I thanked Him for granting me a New Year, with new chances, new friends, and new opportunities. I thanked him for blessing my kids. And for the blessings I overlooked while looking after my mom.
And this year, I thank Him sooo much for the reprieve from stress and strife that I’ve enjoyed this year.
And I thank Him for bringing an amazing man into my life—the man who I’ll spend the rest of my life with.
And I pray that if it is God’s will, this year will continue to build on 2017’s successes. Opportunities seem to be opening up left and right, and I’m feeling in a much better place than I was last year.
The holidays were especially wonderful this year, as I reunited with family I’ve truly missed, and I was also able to spend real quality time with all three kids , as well as with James.
Oh! And we visited Monet!!!
Here’s Callie and Joe in A’Viking:
Another is to get Joe driving. I recently had the Rav detailed for him—he’s just got a few more hours to log before he gets his license. Joe will also get an opportunity to be a foreign exchange “diplomat” to New Zealand this summer, and I’m excited about that! Here is the letter of recommendation his guidance counselor wrote for him. I think that it was an amazingly generous thing for her to do—to take time out of her busy schedule to write such a personal letter of recommendation.
And of course I’m excited about starting my job. Everything about this practice seems perfect.
The Naples house is coming together nicely, and I’m looking forward to a pool/bbq/friend filled summer.
So, Welcome, 2018! May your days be bright to continue to light my path, and guide me down the “meaningful,” not “moneyfull” path. I’m excited to see what opportunities open up as I gain confidence and some kick ass.
I hope to be a little more lenient on the bitter less fortunate, and a little more “fun.”
Anyway, New Year’s Eve is calm, with the distant sound of fireworks like a calm foreshadowing of some wonderful things coming to light in the months ahead.
I pray you all have a happy and blessed New Year!
Mindy - everyday you remind me more of Fenn. He was bold and had his enemies but he took it in stride and never backed down. You are gaining enemies and handling them with class. Your tactics have turned Ricky into a bawling baby seeking therapy from the house of losers. All this comes with increased fame. You are a serious force to be feared.
Billie