The end of the year brings, for most, a time of reflection and goal setting.

I hate that.

I guess it’s because I am a rebel at heart and don’t want to conform to what everyone else is doing…  I also don’t do well with keeping New Year’s resolutions and therefore see no point in making them!  And, for the record, I HAVE reflected and set goals this year.  Remember this post?

It felt good to do it then and it feels good now since I am freed to focus on doing them now.  I have a sense of success to start the new year  because accomplishing this list has begun.

One of the goals is to create everyday.  It is becoming easy since I learned to knit.  I constantly have a project going.  For Christmas I ended up knitting 3 scarves, 4 hats, and about 15 washcloths.  I also made several other gifts including my first batch of soap!  I kept only one bar for myself, it’s great, and I look forward to making more.  I also made a set of dinner napkins and printed some photos for dollar frames.  I wrapped many of the gifts in sheet music (from a book Rich had tossed to out recycle) and ribbons rescued from the thrift store.   Creatively using what I had and making what I could.  Very gratifying.

Here’s to all of you who are setting goals.  I hope your time of self reflection is productive and excites you into 2010!

If you have come here to see what’s new with us, I have given you a “summary” with links to previous posts/pictures for some of the events.  Hope you enjoy catching up!

The Kids

James: 12 yrs old 6^th grade in middle school

still kicking the ball

cell phone/texting

broken thumb

awarded for  reflections photo

Kate: 9 yrs old, 4^th grade

dance camp

fall adds Hip Hop class

Alexander: 7 yrs old, 2^nd grade

started playing ice Hockey

building Legos like a pro

Trips

Jan –Ocean City

Summer–

Hershey Park

Joyful Noise tour to Niagra falls

SC nephew Troy’s graduation

Nov. –California for a week!

Changes

Lost a tree

Gained new windows

Ripped out carpet

Simplified

Learned to knit

Did some canning

Supported a local farmer every week

Worked on photography skills—ended taking a family portrait for someone else!

Animals

The zoo is alive!

Dog: Shadow

Hamster: Magic

Hermit Crab: Ocean

Goldfish:  Goldie and Spotty

RIP: various other fish

Twilight—Kate’s Betta fish

and Tad—James’ 5 yr old water frog.

When death comes knocking it always makes us answer. We think that we should learn from death, but it was pointed out to me today that we really must learn from life.

I have been fortunate to have to face very few deaths in my life.

Distinct memories of my Dad’s tears at his father’s graveside when I was very young. The first funeral I’d ever been to. I am still touched by my Dad’s sorrow.

I felt extreme loss and pain at my grandmother’s death followed only a few weeks later by her husband. Watching my mom loose both of her parents so quickly was tragic. I remember thinking how much they loved each other and were so interdependent. Nana and Grandad were foundational in our family. I still feel emptiness in their absence.

Today was the memorial service for a friend. A peer. Janet was only 35 years old. She was a wife. A mother of three. Just like me…

Her battle with cancer was long. I have prayed to God countless times that she would be healed as have many others. Prayer for her and her family has been a regular announcement at church for a very long time. It has felt very hard to understand why God would take such a vibrant, happy, fun, and faithful lady. We cannot understand. We can try to learn from her example.

So many scriptures were shared today that not only exemplified Janet, but that are a reminder of how to live a faith-filled life. I am inspired by her. I Am encouraged by her even in her death. I know that she would want that.

I will quote here a poem that her oldest son, a 7^th grader, read today.

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free

I’m following the path God has chosen for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call;

I tuned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I’ve now found peace at the end of day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;

Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good time, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all too brief;

Don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief.

Life up your heart and peace to thee,

God wanted me now, He set me free.

–Shannon Lee Moseley

I am grateful to have been one of the many who was touched by Janet’s love and life. She will be carried with me always.