Just One More Hour
2008 is nearly here! It's been years since I've made New Years Resolutions, and this year won't be any different in that regard. I've chosen instead to begin 2008 by renewing my relationship with Jesus Christ and focusing on being more like the person He wants me to be.
In light of the difficulties of 2007 I think it only appropriate that I end the year by looking at the things I have to be thankful for;
1) First, I'm thankful for my family and their love and support.
2) Second, I'm thankful for my friends, both near and far, and old and new as they have been a wonderful source of caring, love and prayerful support all year long. The friends I've made on the internet have enriched my world as have my friends who live across town!
3) I'm thankful for the power of prayer, and the answers to prayers received.
4) I'm thankful that my daughter has access to excellent medical care which through experimental treatments has allowed her to be off chemo which has given her back her strength.
5) I'm thankful for our grandchildren, especially our new granddaughter.
6) I'm thankful for the fulfilment of our daily needs such as food, housing, transportation, and a loving husband!
To all of you who have read this far, for 2008 I wish for you a year filled with Christ's love and enough. Enough food, enough time, and enough of everything that makes your world wonderful!
Hugs,
Shelly
Joy is missing
It seems I just can't find any joy in the holidays this year. After the passing of my father-in-law and then me catching a miserable cold it just seems to have really put a damper on the holidays. It doesn't help any that we chose this holiday season to end the 56 year old tradition of the family gathering being in this home that my father-in-law built which we are priviledged to live in. With Dad (fil) gone, and my mother-in-law being ill in addition to the dementia she has suffered for several years it just seemed it wasn't going to be the same and my sister-in-laws agreed this was the time for it to change. But it's a tough adjustment, and I'm regretting cancelling it.
This nasty cold came on less than a week after we lost Dad, then on Wednesday this week I felt really good and so we went out and finished some last minute errands in preparation for Christmas. Thursday I felt good again and we were able to finish everything we needed to do. We had delayed leaving for the Christmas trip to my oldest son's by one day so I'd feel really good. But I awoke yesterday (Friday) feeling horrible. My chest has this very heavy feeling and it feels like there is a baseball between my shoulder blades. I'm coughing again and then wheezing and I'm miserable. So the trip is off . . . but if I'm better by the 28th or 29th we'll go down for New Years. I'm very disappointed as it was to be the first Christmas that our 9 yr old granddaughter had both sets of grandparents with her. Well, maybe it will be the first New Years instead!
Oh, I know, whining really isn't becoming! I'm sorry, and I know I'm on Santa's bad girl list . . . but it's not the first time !
How's this for a Christmas photo? This is my daughter's dog "Moose" who was raised in Austin, TX weather, and obviously approves of their move to PA!
Sad times
On Sunday, December 9th my dear father in law, Eino, succumbed to his failing body at the age of 87. The loss of this wonderful man is hitting especially hard, coming at this time of year when there is usually so much joy. The whole family is mourning the loss of the man who was the head and the heart of our family, and it has wiped out any holiday joy we might have had. I had thought that I could be the strong one for my husband who loved his father dearly and enjoyed a wonderful relationship with him. However, it's turning out that he is having to be the strong one for me. In the 25 years I've been part of this family, Eino has been much more of a father to me than my biological father ever knew how to be, and already I miss him desperately. I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to tell him how much he meant to me. I've never met another human being with the capability for unconditional love that this man had for his family and friends. I've never met anyone who had a bad thing to say about him. He was just truly a wonderful, caring man who was absolutely one in a million. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, but especially by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
