Reflections New and Old

I am not big on New Year's resolutions. I have made them and broken them in the same day! One New Years Eve, while all I had to overcome was another bad case of bronchitis. I wasn't thinking about anything except the gift of the flu from my second grade class, who so graciously deposited it in my care while they went off to enjoy their Christmas Holiday. Who am I to complain? Who knew that it would give me time to rest and to think in between coughs, sneezes, and the three boxes of Kleenexes with lotion I went through so quickly.

I do, however, generally exhibit great expectations in the passing of one year into another. I believe in optimism and in new adventures, and on that endeavor,in writing at least I now embark! As I consider the possibilites, new friends, experiences, challenges, lessons on life that each year brings, I do my planning. Where shall we go from here, that is the question.

Thus I embrace each new year, not like an old friend, but as a completely new acquaintance, longing to learn of its wisdom, perspectives, colors and places. Hopefully it will present opportunities for gatherings in unexpected places, with cultures I have yet to discover. Even in my own state, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

With the excitement of the little child within, who knows little of prejudice or mindsets that hinder exploration of the third kind, if you know what I mean. LIke the kinds we long(ed) for, lswinging on swings, higher than we dared before, and rolling down hills laughing without restraint. Of snow angels and snow men, of mountains waiting to be conquered, and relationships restored and offences forgiven, just because they should be.

I will not be limited by regrets of the past, or past mistakes, or shallow thinking of others that I allow to keep me in boxes like prisons without keys. Or restricted by my past limitations, or proclamations of what I can or cannot accomplish "at my age". Phooey to all that I say, "For a creation I am, and am becoming, shaped into the image of what only my Creator can see fully!

Gladly I say farewell to the fears and tears of the past years, to what I haven't been, or finished or achieved of once held close goals and dreams that were never meant to be! On with the new attire of dancing freely and staying up late beside campfires and new dreams of grandeur and exotic travels to places like Patagonia and Macchu Pichu, I dare. I am up for a good run, wherever it may be.

Hello to the meandering along Lake Powell on extended days with no agenda or cell phone, and for the same along Baja California coasts and lazy fishing towns with welcoming folk who know how to siesta all day long if necessary. Hello to Yosemite, Angels Camp, Mendocino, and all points in between. Hello y'all to Athens, Tyler San Antonio, the Alamo and Corpus Christi, and with any good fortune Aloha to my greatest love, the Islands of Hawaii!

I see you as my new friend, no time to be wasted, only savored, and held ever so loosely for what you shall bring to my loving heart and friends! I can hardly contain all the thoughts.

Take me away!