So, then I started to think about myself. Well, this year I didn't do anything so amazing like have a baby, get married, move to another state or country, climb a mountain, ski across country, break a world record or anything like that. I was thinking I had more low lights then highlights. After all, I have been through a lot with my mom with her getting sick and all the stuff that goes along with that. But, that highlight would be she is still here with me. She is slowly getting better the best she can. She won't be fully her old self again not with her onset of dementia but she is still here and I get to talk to her everyday, share with her things about how and what I am feeling, cook for her and take care of her when she needs me. I hope to have her here for a lot more years. Of course the low lights would be the medical bills but, that will all work itself out even if it takes the next 20 years to pay them. lol I am just feeling blessed that she is still with us.
Then I thought about my son. He didn't do anything so spectacular this year. He was just being a kid. He went from 9 years old to 10 years old and now has a 13 year old attitude. But, we still laugh together and he is not sick and I am so thankful for that. I have read about a lot of kids that were not so fortunate and are not with us today. I am glad mine is and thriving. A highlight for him this year was an unexpected one. Last week he got a Christmas card in the mail. That part was not so unexpected but the person who sent it was. It came from his paternal grandmother. She hasn't sent him a card since he has been born. She barely acknowledges his existence. He has got all of two gifts from her in ten years. One was a big wheel when he was 2 that his father never could figure out how to put together. The other was a musical toy that she got from the thrift store when he was first born. So, to get this card was a surprise and an ever bigger surprise was the fact she put $20 in it and wrote a personal note. I had to call and find out if she was okay and of course my son called to thank her too.
Next I thought about all the things that I do have that lots of people don't and as long as I have the basics I am pretty good. I have food, a roof and clothes. And I thought about a time not so long ago, about 7 years ago when I didn't. I feel blessed just to wake up everyday in a bed, my own bed. And I feel blessed to have a kitchen. I missed having a kitchen. It sounds strange to miss a kitchen but I did and even missed cooking.
And I thought about my health. I am lucky to be in good health. Not the best but I am improving that over time. But, at least I am not in a hospital fighting for my life. I feel blessed for that too.
So, I told my friend that my highlight of the year was surviving the year. All the ups and downs and in betweens. I am still here to see another year.
Happy New Year!
