charack posted: " Every year is a rollercoaster ride. We begin the "New Year" with anxious expectation. As the old year comes to a close, we jump onto the ride of a clean slate, a chance to begin again with goals and challenges and making a name for ourselves (or, may" grandma's coffee soupRead on blog or Reader
Every year is a rollercoaster ride. We begin the "New Year" with anxious expectation. As the old year comes to a close, we jump onto the ride of a clean slate, a chance to begin again with goals and challenges and making a name for ourselves (or, maybe becoming more of a recluse….whatever suits your style). We will set feasible goals, and allow ourselves to bank on reasonable expectations, since this is the only real path to success. At my age, I like to think that I'll still be here for the NEXT New Year, but I no longer bank on that. I'm learning to slow down, and enjoy the moments and the days as they come. And a new year brings an opportunity for positive growth and change, a lifting of hearts and a promise of better things to come, better decisions made, and more silliness added in for fun!
Maybe you'll start a new diet, this year, like I finally had to do. I started on New Years' Eve, with intermittent fasting. A new eating plan is a "New Year's standard. I've usually avoided "dieting" goals, but this past fall, when I started changing out the seasonal clothes, (what I like to call, The changing of the ward, "ward" short for wardrobe, and spoken to rhyme with "changing of the guard.") I noticed that some of my pants were a bit snug. I've had the same clothes for years, and I've always refused to buy bigger pants. I had to take action. I finally rook on the "trendy" challenge of intermittent fasting (and my husband confessed a few weeks later that he had also started doing it.) The first few weeks were challenging, with a growling stomach trying to keep me awake, but I am totally in the groove now! So now we're both on board with that. I had to run to Ollie's Outlet to buy a scale, because we'd been without a working scale for years.
A "New Year" will often bring with it a look back, too, recalling the joys and maybe even the sufferings of the previous year. As we get older, the loss of older relatives and friends becomes a common theme.
Last year, in a cold and dreary February, we endured the sorrow of a pregnancy loss at 24 weeks, for one of our daughters. We made the long and solemn drive to Minnesota for the funeral. There's nothing more heartbreaking to see than a mini-sized casket for the burial of a child. You look at it and imagine all the things that could have been, the first smile, the first time little one says Mama or Mimi. It was a small casket, but it weighed heavily on each and every grieving heart.
For me, it was a momma's heart aching for the suffering of her daughter, while my daughter endured the loss of a baby she longed to hold, and love, and teach, and watch, as little one grew to frolic and play with older siblings. My daughter and all of the local family, did get to hold that little one, as the understanding and care of pregnancy loss has risen to a new level, with hospital staff being so very accommodating for the parents and family during that short time with their baby. Parents are encouraged to hold the baby as long as they like, volunteer groups come in to take photos, older siblings and other family grandparents are welcome to come, too, to hold the baby. It's easier to say good-bye when you've had at least that short time to say "hello," and to be encouraged in mourning your true loss. Unfortunately, we lived to far away to take advantage of that opportunity. It was a short window. 😥
That same daughter has another baby due sometime close to Holy Week of this year, and all signs are good, no complications this time. We look forward to meeting this new "little man," getting to spend many years with him here on earth, while we continue to call on the intercession of our three baby saints in heaven! And big brother is REALLY looking forward to finally having a brother (even though he loves his 3 sisters very much). God is always good and kind, and generous, even when our limited understanding causes us to grieve and suffer for a while
But, how about you? What do you look back to? What do you need to let go of? What are you looking forward to? What goals have you set, or meed to consider making, and how will you put more focus on all that brings you joy, and cut back on the things that wear you down?
Maybe you'll start a new diet this year, like me. Yesterday I stepped on the scale for the first time since starting the intermittent fasting began. The scale registered a 5 lb. weight loss. BINGO! I win! My pants already fit better. My memory also seems to be sharper. Now, if only I could get rid of my pesky autoimmune illness, brought on by chemotherapy treatments from nearly 16 years ago. But, hey, I'm still here, still watching my family grow (16 grandchildren, counting the 3 in heaven), and always looking forward to a few more!)
The only thing left to do is start building my Christmas gift shopping stash for next Christmas, with my absolute favorite adventure, the one thing I can count on year to year…regular thrift store and yard sale treasure hunts, as I stock up on my frugal, yet always appreciated and well-preserved cast-aways from someone's attic (while always on the lookout for the perfect addition to my scant (but perfectly functional) wardrobe! So, how can I complain about about an out of whack immune system. It's probably just trying to tell me to slow down, and if I listen, I might just make it to 2025, and my big reward……Medicare! Ha, ha! Only time will tell.
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