I rarely visit this space anymore. However if there was ever a year to focus on the things I am thankful for it is 2020! Here goes...
10. Our new puppy, Winston. I am completely smitten by this little maltipoo. We got him in May, and the timing could not have been more perfect. He is sweet, sometimes spicy and always snuggly.
9. Feeling like Rochester/Oakland twp is home. It has taken two years but I am loving this area more and more.
8. My kid's ages. The kids are now 15,14 and 11. I have said for sometime now that I thought parenting would be easier for me when we were out of the toddler/little kid phase. So far I am right. I really love the conversations we have , the jokes we share and that they don't wake me up to watch Disney Jr at 6am!
7. Jeff's health. We had another scare this fall with Jeff's heart. He ended up getting three stents. He is also struggling with issues with high calcium levels and will have his parathyroid out this winter. Through all of the stress we have continued to see God's protection and grace.
6. My health. I have had a full year of no growth in my pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. I have another scan on December 1st. I am hopeful that it is stable again.
5. Job security. Through all of the covid craziness both Jeff and I have remained employed. We do not take that for granted. My job has been especially heart wrenching as covid as wreaked havoc on our communities.
4. Our home. I really adore it. Last night we were watching a Christmas movie surrounded by the loads of Christmas lights I have all over, and I felt truly content.
3. My parents moving closer. Although they still live an hour away, it is much improved from the six we had before. My kids love that Grandma and Papa are close by.
2. Friendships. These past two years of living away from close friends has made me realize that maybe I am not someone who needs lots of friends. I had always been someone who made friends rather easily. I have come to accept that at this stage in life, with kids that are older, it is more difficult. It has also made me more discerning about which friendships are worth investing in, and which are ok to let go of. It has been a silver lining.
1. My faith. Always and forever and especially throughout this year. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him. And he will make your paths straight. We continue to trust in the our faith and not try and figure everything out.
We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. It will be different this year as we've decided to stay home and celebrate with our immediate family. I am reminded of one of my favorite Christmas carols "Have yourself a Merry little Christmas" and the line, "Someday soon we all will be together, if the fates allow. Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow." Here's to making the best of our collective muddling.
