Has time itself sped up? Where did the year go? One of the things I notice about aging is that there’s much less time to get the things done that I used to do - but, again, that just may have something to do with the fact that the energy level is a wee bit lower than ten years ago (or even two!).
At any rate, it’s once again year-end “holiday time” and time again to look at the past year in terms of good deeds, good thoughts, good things that happened, and good people who have touched our lives in 2017. How easy it would be to say ”what a crazy, mixed-up year” or” it was the worst year I’ve ever known”. Too often we tend to look at the negative side of things.
Oh, yes, our family has had our share of health issues, vehicle issues, and household issues, but along with them, so many positive things have happened that we’re so grateful for. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Our dear old ‘93 Nissan pickup was declared not fit for driving by a mechanic who showed us that the frame was pretty well rusted through. “Lady Truck” had served us so well for some 20 years, with very little in the way of trouble or expense. We no longer need a vehicle for traipsing around the country, but only for trips to the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or to see the Footlighters’ performances. The positive side of this? Well, the young man who now has Lady Truck has another Nissan, compatible with parts, etc., And he is as happy as a clam about it all! And we now have a car which is quite okay for our needs. Gratitude!
The furnace humidifier decided to flood the basement floor a few weeks ago, resulting in an hour or so of convincing the water to go down the drain. (I am grateful that our daughter was here to help!) The good side of it all? Well, we have an electric furnace and, had the water come in contact with the wiring- I don’t even want to think about what could have happened. Now, there’s a new humidifier working away as it should, safely away from the wiring! Gratitude!
Three trips by ambulance to the hospital with my husband in tow. What wonderful care, procedures, specialists, etc. that we have in this area! All is well. Gratitude!
The many forest fires in and around the valley this summer could easily have wiped us all out. But we have a wonderful group of firefighters, rescue staff, etc. And as a result, the fires that could have harmed us all were extinguished before they spread too far. Gratitude!
Our daughter (the same one who helped clean up the water mess!) Moved from Edmonton in September to get away from the city and the past, and to be surrounded by those wonderful mountains we all love. Three months to the day, the right apartment turned up for her. We’ll miss having her in the house, but we’re so very pleased that her “new life” is starting off so well. Gratitude!
Look well, my friends, at all the negative things that happened to you, or might have happened, and see the positive things that came out of them. I know I’m repeating myself (said the same things in the last article I wrote!), but it bears repeating, doesn’t it?
Remember that, no matter what religion you follow, whatever beliefs you hold in your heart, the “holiday season” that is upon us is a time for us all to be grateful for so many things, to celebrate the fact that we live here in the Creston Valley, to thank those people who have been good to us, who have inspired us to “pass it on” to others. May all of us enjoy the season by sharing our happiness with others. Gratitude!