Auld Lyne Syne

While I dont do resolutions, I do reflect. And this year I am looking back to the past 10 years.

There was much good and some not so good. The good will forever be saved in my memory to remind me how fortunate I am. The bad will remind me of how strong the human spirit is and how we humans can overcome and rise above whatever happens.

We bought our house in 2004 when most empty nesters were downsizing. By any calculations, it's far from grand. But for my husband and I it was the culmination of a dream that began on our wedding day. It is the place where I nurture my family whenever I can and a safe haven for our children when they come back and I hope for our grandchildren as they all grow older. It is filled, just as the past 10 years, with good memories and some not so good memories. But whatever it is, it is our refuge from the scary world as we grow old.

We lost loved ones..My brother in law, Ed, who left all of us too soon, my dear friend Pam's husband, Curt, who battled pancreatic cancer, and my Mom whose death left a gaping hole in my heart over all she never realized in her time on earth.

Its very true..we never get over losing our Momma's.

Heart attacks, car crashes, broken arms, and cancer took us down but never out and what they taught us is that whatever else might come our way, we survived and we got through.

We lost money, made money (I prefer the making money!) We lost jobs and found jobs. We made new friends and reconnected with old ones thru the magic of Faebook.

We got greyer and whiter, my husband more than I :)

Our backs hurt and we move slower. And we realize that while 10 years ago we were spry and moved easier, we are slower now maybe because we take the time to savor the moments...those early summer mornings on the patio as the sun rises in the sky, sunsets in winter, a baby's laugh, Mikes hand on my shoulder and that unmistakable giggle coming from Shannon's room as shes watching Golden Girls.

We added 6 beautiful, handsome, smart, funny, loving grandchilren in this past decade..along with a son in law and daughter in law whom we love oh! so much! How lucky we are to have them.

10 years is a long time and a blink. And I am sure Ive forgotten more than I remembered. But out of everything in those 10 years comes unmistakable love and respect and the awareness that while life does toss us upside down..what remains constant is love..for our families, our friends and for God who always seems to have our backs ❤

Looking forward to the next 10 and more memories.