A Time for New Beginnings

I know that all of us anticipate the new year and what it holds for us.  Will I be happy? will I have a job? will I be able to improve my relationships with family and friends?  will I be able to achieve my goals? 

We look back thru the past year, and evaluate what we accomplished, where we succeded, where we failed and what lessons we can carry into this new year, the clean slate that we have before us.

For me the past year has been a year for closing of one door and the chance to open another.  I retired from my job, and am now free to pursue my interest in art and writing.  My house was damaged extensively by water, and I was displaced for several months, but now that I just moved back, it is like moving into a new house, another new beginning. 

I have many goals for the new year, some I'll accomplish, and others will be a work in progress.  I want every day to be an opportunity to move forward, but still have time to explore all the wonders around me.

Reflections

Looking back on my vacation, I have much to reflect on.

I got to get to know the littlest g-grandkids, each so different, each so special.  A real armful of love.

 I was able to spend time at the coast, scatter flower petals at Mom's final resting place, reflect on what a great Mother I had and what an example she was.  Then of course, we had to eat at Mo's.

I also visited my brother in Washington.  His house was flooded in the December 2007 flood--water up to the middle of the windows, incredible damage to the area, logs piled high by their porch, but an amazing fact, not a window was broken.  Now the damage can only be seen in pictures.  I reflected on the resilience of the people of that area.

Then I reflected on the beauty.  Everywhere the hillsides and valleys were painted with brillant color. 

It reminds of this poem--

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came -

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,

And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,

Professor Wind the band.

~George Cooper, "October's Party"

Memories of Mom

Today is in memory of Mom.  What a woman she was!  Born in the east in 1920, moving west as a child to Roberts Montana, after high school moving to Wyoming--the Northfork of the Shoshone river not far from Yellowstone park.   

Met a cowboy/rancher, became a rancher's wife, raised seven children, faced many hardships, but in spite of it all was a happy, artistic, funny lady. She loved flowers, especially roses, loved to visit the Oregon sea coast and watch the magesty and power of the ocean.

She was a very good mother to me--supportive, wise, able to look on the funny side of life, forgiving of my faults, and encouraging me to be better--an example I want to follow. I salute you, Mom, on this the day of your birth.

Flying

Tomorrow morning I will be be above the clouds, all my stress will melt away as I soar toward Oregon with its rugged coasts, maple and oak leaves painting bright spots of color, and probably some rain.  (Only a Phoencian would look forward to that.)

I will get to see my three little grandchildren, two of them for the first time.  I am also anticipating some quality time with my daughter and my granddaughter.

I love vacation!

On Mice and Me

A friend of mine sent me this thought

Worry is today's mice nibbling on tomorrow's cheese.

(Matthew 6:34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (NLT))

I have been going through a computer conversion at work, have spent many extra hours preparing, and was uneasy as to how things would go when we went "live".  Well, Thursday was the day, and although a little slow, it was a smooth transition.

I spent energy worrying about a problem that didn't happen.  Hmm, lesson learned, I hope!