What can we expect from this New Year? More Joy and laughter? More never before experienced, jaw-dropping experiences? More new babies? Perhaps another wedding or two? Only God holds the answers to those questions. I suspect that there will be a smattering of sadness and sorrow thrown into the mix, just for good measure...there always is. Certainly not to my liking, of course, but it just seems to be the way things work.
At my age, I make no plans...what's the use? We have everything we could ever need, including our very own new retirement home in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Our children are all grown, healthy and most of them are raising their own families, or enjoying their grandchildren. Our Billy never ceases to amaze us with his amazing gifts and his heart of gold; and JerriAnne has the most beautiful spirit and attitude about her. They are my examples of strength and goodness. Our health is as good as could be expected for anyone our age. And I still have my brain, a good measure of my eyesight, most of my hearing and I am able to still put one foot in front of the other and manage to walk around the block without huffing and puffing.
No, we have no wants or needs, except that those gifts that were given to us throughout our lives...you know, family, friends, the Church families we enjoy, and SUNSHINE will never be taken away from us! Oh, how I love sunshine! After having been deprived of it for the better part of the last 13 years, I have made up my mind to thoroughly enjoy each and every day of it for whatever allotted time I am allowed to stay on God's beautiful earth.
I plan on smiling more and frowning less; finding the good in everyone and dismissing the bad; thinking more positively and less negatively; loving more and disliking anything or anyone less; and reading as many books as I can get my hands on, beginning with the Scriptures. That last one is a challenge for me, because I cannot read as fast as I used to due to the loss of a lot of my vision, but I refuse to give up.
When I reflect upon my blessings and begin "numbering them one-by-one,"I find my list growing longer and longer each and every day. My life has been full to the brim and I pray that, God willing, this coming year of 2019 will prove that my "cup can run over" and still have room for more.
As Tiny Tim said in "A Christmas Carol," "God Bless Us. Every One!"
