A Happy, New Year

      
It's a new year, and I'm happy to say I survived 2010.  I always look forward to a fresh start and listing out all the things I hope to accomplish.  While most of them fall away by March, I do hope I can keep a couple going so I can celebrate them next year. 

One thing I have resolved to do is to find a way to keep in touch with those I don't get to see/speak to often. It's hard to keep in touch with so many people, but the relationships I've built over the years are important to me.  I don't expect to be in constant contact with all my friends on a daily basis, but I do want to use the technology I have at my disposal to help me reach my goal. 

My best friend from high school is a prime example. Ronda and I met in the 10th grade and, as they say, the rest is history. We were inseparable through graduation and the year that followed. She was my maid of honor at my wedding, my "beach-bum" partner, and a safe place for me while going through those crazy teenage years. We have many "remember when's" (what we call memories) together, and every card or email I get from her promises many, many more. Our vacations together make me feel like I'm 16 again, and that is priceless to me.

As friends do, we go weeks and weeks without talking because we live our lives and get caught up in the day-to-day.  But in the end, an email or a visit starts things up right where they left off.  Hopefully this year I will make more time to keep in touch with my precious friend.  Friendships like these don't come along very often, and I realize I'm lucky to still have my "blast from the past" around.  So let the emailing, card sending, visit planning begin.  May we have many more days together down by the seaside. :)

Another resolution of mine is to write here every day. While I know "every day" is stretching it a bit, I want to make sure I start writing more frequently than I have been in the past few years. I love to write...it frees my soul. But I, just like everyone else, let life get in the way of the things I enjoy the most. I want to look back when the calendar flips to 2012 and see all the posts I added in 2011. I want to remember my year as it passes. I don't claim that I'll write coherently, but at least I'll write. I'm writing for me after all.

A friend I had in school writes a blog which I read regularly. She's an artist now, and she says she starts each morning writing a few pages, and ends with 2 lists.  The first list is titled "Thank You, Thank You, Thank You" and the second is called "Help Me, Help Me, Help Me".  I think her lists are one way she talks to God about how she is grateful and what she needs...which I think is a fabulous idea. The first list is where she writes 10 things for which she is thankful, and the second is where she writes 10 things with which she needs help. She says some days she abandons the list, but others she's able to complete them with ease.  I suspect it will be the same for me.  I plan to incorporate that into my blog too. (By the way, I did let her know I was using her idea). My first lists start today.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

1. My husband. At the risk of sounding mushy, I simply love him. I love his flaws, and he loves mine (and that makes me love him all the more).
2. My family is dear to me. They love me for me, and they don't question it. They're sometimes quirky, but what family isn't. I am thankful for them all (including my husband's family). I am especially thankful for my Mom, Dad, Brother, and Sister-in-law. My Mom and Dad show me how I want my marriage to be. My Brother and Sister-in-law are awesome and we have some of the best times just hanging out. I'm so thankful for a close family.
3. My friends are my lifeline. Compared to most people, I may have few friends, but maybe some people call their acquaintances "friends". I am well aware of the difference. My small circle is what keeps me afloat.
4. My home. It's not a mansion, but it's mine. It holds my stuff, sees me at my best and worst, and welcomes me back when I go away for a while. It is my comfort.
5. My job isn't perfect, but it's the one I want. Sure, I hope to win the lottery and retire early, but I wonder just what I'd do with myself if I did. My job allows me to get paid for something I love...and what more could I ask for?
6. Freedom (aka America). It's OK if you have issues with our government, lots of people do...and always have. Trust me when I tell you that will never change, because you can't please all of the people all of the time. Regardless, I'm free and I love it.
7. My step kids. They live so far away, but I am looking forward to seeing them this spring. I'm also looking forward to Victoria coming to visit for the summer. She and I will stay up and have "slumber parties" (which means we stay up until about 2AM watching TV and eating junk food while her Dad sleeps). I'm also SO very thankful that both of them were in our wedding earlier this year...without them it would NOT have been the same.
8. My nieces and nephews. My brother has 2 girls...one looks like me and one acts like me and I love them both to pieces. But in May when I married David, I inherited 3 nieces and 5 nephews. I'm closer to some than others (mostly because of where they live) but I am glad to have ALL of them in my family. Just like my step kids, 2 of my nieces and one of my nephews were in my wedding...my entire wedding party was children (except my stepson who was 16 at the time and is technically a teenager). My other niece and nephew were at my wedding and helped with photos, music, and decorating.
9. My Pop. My last remaining grandparent. He's the sweetest, calmest soul I know. He is an inspiration; the way I want to be. He's perfect and I will cherish him always.
10. Little things. The last 3 months of last year I experienced a lot of "little things" that made me smile...getting to see my best friend for 2 weeks this year, watching others open Christmas gifts from me (yes, I love opening them, but I love to give and watch their expressions), spending a wonderful holiday season with my family (and those few extra days with my Mom and Dad), snow, my warm coat, David grabbing my hand while we shop in the mall, spending the evening shopping and having dinner with my brother and sister-in-law, giggling with my aunt without saying a word, spending Christmas with my last remaining grandparent (I love my Pop), walking along the Atlantic shore with my best friend from high school, and David and I ringing in the new year with her and her family.

OK, I got a little carried away with the last one...trying to cram everything in. Tomorrow I'll wish I had left some of those things to list, but I can always reuse them I guess. :)

Now for the next list.

Help Me, Help Me, Help Me

1. Give me patience. I sure need it.
2. Give me some extra tolerance. I have some already, but we could all use a little more.
3. Give me unconditional love for my family and friends...and strangers in need.
4. Give me compassion, because I need it every now and then too.
5. Keep my mind and my heart open.
6. Send me trust when I can't see past myself.
7. Give me common sense, because sometimes mine escapes me.
8. Allow me to enjoy the time I have with those I love.
9. Allow me time to perfect my talents...I don't want to waste them.
10. Keep me and my loved ones safe.

I'm not sure which list is easier to write, but there isn't a shortage of items for either one. I'm looking forward to seeing how both lists progress as the year goes on.