January 2, 2009

• …I’m ready for this new beginning!

  Who doesn’t love a chance to start over? What is nicer than a fresh start, especially when things haven’t been going as well as we’d like? The passing of the old year and the beginning of a new one gives us a new opportunity to start fresh, with a clean page full of possibilities.

  In the past, my “resolutions,” sometimes backed by very little resolve, focused on me. What could I do for myself in this new year? Lost some of those extra pounds? Build a little more muscle to take the place of that lost fat? How about carve out some more free time for my personal indulgence? Get more rest? Clean out all the closets and cupboards so I’d have more space for more junk?

  Then, I read something the other day that made me stop and rethink this resolution business. An old cowboy, when asked about his new year’s resolutions, wrinkled his brow and thought for a minute. Then, in his slow western drawl, he responded, “Well, sir, I guess I’ll just try to be a little nicer to everybody.”

  That cowboy’s resolution sounds so simple and unassuming, but it seemed very profound to me. How does the cowboy’s resolution differ from the usual laundry list of resolutions we make and never keep? It is focused on someone other than “ME!” Not something I can do for myself, not something to make my life easier or happier, but something to make life better for others. Now that is something to strive for, with resolve and determination!

  On another note, I wonder if some of you wonder where I’ve been the last couple of months? It is amazing how life can change in one instant, and you have no way to see it coming. I was busy one morning in early November…cooking lunch, doing laundry, bookkeeping tasks piled on the desk, sewing project laid out on my cutting table, Christmas catalogs stacked with pages turned down to start some early shopping…when my phone rang.

  I learned that our son had been in an accident. It turned out that he suffered a severe head injury and would spend nine days in neuro-ICU, then three days in their step-down unit. On the day before Thanksgiving, he was released from the hospital, and after two weeks of surreal existence, life resumed for me. Our daughters cooked our Thanksgiving dinner, and we were just thankful to all be there together.

  Then it was real-life catch-up time! December was a month of staying in high gear, getting caught up on the many things I’d left untended. There was Christmas to prepare for, year-end farm business to take care of, family obligations to meet….and no time to sit down quietly at the computer and play xanga.

  Our Christmas was quiet this year. Sarah and family rode the Zephyr to Montana to be with her husband’s family, but we enjoyed having Susannah’s bunch with us. Addie Dear is almost four months old and too adorable for words! Wyatt is the funniest little boy I’ve ever known, and he keeps us laughing and guessing all the time, with his funny ways. We also enjoyed being with both of our moms and are thankful for their mostly good health and good spirits.

  Three special highlights of the season involved, of course, our grandchildren. First, we made a quick trip to Kansas City to hear Emma play piano at the wondrously-decorated downtown Crown Center! Where does an eight-year-old get the poise she displays on these occasions? If I were in her shoes, I’d be a nervous, frightened wreck, but Emma calmly walked to the big black grand piano and perfectly played her music with feeling and dignity. I heard, also, that she played her carols in her farmor’s church out in Dillon, MT, at the conclusion of their Christmas Eve service. I know it was a thrill for Sam’s mother and grandmother to witness that. (Farmor is the Swedish name for “father’s mother. Sam’s maternal grandmother is “Mormor.” She was born in Sweden and came to America as a teenager. What lovely ladies they both are!)

  The other two highlights of the season occurred at our church. On the first Sunday in December, both Wyatt and Addie were dedicated in the morning service. The other grandparents joined us, as well as both great-grandmas, and we all promised to help their parents raise them in a Christian home. Then, we truly loved the Christmas Eve candlelight communion service. It was wonderful to arrive and find the place packed! We even ran out of candles, so some folks shared. That’s a good problem to have! And Wyatt was quiet through the whole thing…Addie, too.

  My favorite Christmas present was a gift from all four grandchildren….a book featuring pictures of them throughout the year. I hope I’ll get one every year from now on! What a keepsake!

  And now I’ll close (with a few pictures to remind you of how we look!),for I fear you’ve quit reading long ago….seems as if I’m trying to make up for lost time. Hope your new year is happy and healthy and off to a real good start!

     

  (Wyatt loved making Christmas cookies) (Emma at her recital at Crown Center)

   

  (Addie and her great-grandmas)

  

  (Emma, Sarah and Lucinda Jane)

  

  (Lucy at the window of Crayola store) (Addie Dear and her mommy dear, Susannah)

  

  (She sure smiles sweet for Mimi!)

  • 7:03 pm
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