A Bright New Year

A bright new year, I heave a huge sigh, God has granted me another entire year. As I look back on my year, there are definate times when I know that I have been a blessing to God and to those in my association. There are, however, also many times when I know that I have not been much of a blessing to anyone. SIGH!

I could determine to do much better in this new year; but why set myself up to a task that I have so little control over accomplishing? It is more realistic to determine to do my best with whatever God sends my way. That, I know I can accomplish, as long as I allow Him to help me.

This was a very unique end to a year. In the last month, my daughter was married, my two sons were home for the wedding (I got to see them through my friends eyes, and was very proud to be their mother), and my home was emptied of most of my last child's possessions. Needless to say, with everyone gone, and her possessions packed up to be shipped out, the place feels very empty.

Now, I could determine to feel depressed and mournful of the fact that she is half a world away, and my sons are a good distance from home, as well--and to be honest, I often slip into that depression--but for today, the first day of this new year, I am determined to count my blessings. All of my children are safe, healthy, and doing what they love to do. Concentrating on their happiness, instead of my loneliness, makes this new year feel bright and full of promise.

The year started with 2 people signing on for writing courses on my web site. There is absolutely nothing I love doing more than sharing my knowledge and passion for fiction writing with those who are just beginning their writing adventure. God has truly blessed me with these budding writers in my life.

My husband is sitting watching a hockey game (with his eyes closed) and I am catching up with a month's worth of posts on my favorite writing loop (ACFW)...oh yes, and doing a New Year's post on here. he he

There are moments when I feel that I can't stand living in such an isolated location from my family (Northwestern Ontario), but today I went for a walk in the winter wonderland that is my home, and was blessed with sightings of deer, Blue Jay, Canada Jay and even a rabbit. If I lived in the city where my family all dwell, I know that I would be longing for the quiet and beauty of the country. So, there you go.

Thinking of friends who are far away also makes me a bit sad. I wonder if I will ever see them again. A dear friend passed on, this Christmas. This made me realize how very precious those I love are to me. It also made me scoot keeping in contact with them to a much higher level on my priority list.

So, with my daughter, Heather, heading back to New Zealand, my oldest son, Mike, back in Winnipeg, starting a new job and working to move his family, and Dan, my middle child being back in Windsor, working as needed and working on his music passions, I could feel very all along. However, God has blessed me with a husband who, while not the most exciting man on earth, loves me dearly. I am truly blessed. All of my little family love one another and are supportive...even when we don't quite understand or appreciate what the other is up to. Many people can not claim these precious blessings.

With that thought, my New Year's prayer is for those who are without anyone to miss; without family to love them; those who are alone in this world. My prayer is that they come to know Christ, and with that knowledge, they will come to the realization that they are never alone. Once God(Christ) is invited into their lives, He will never leave them nor forsake them. (Hebrews 13:5) This verse has held me together during the worste parts of my life...and my year. Hopefully, that knowledge will sustain you, as well.

So, my dear friends and family, when looking back at your 2007, try focusing on those things that brought you joy and not the things that caused you concern. With this mindset, 2008 can't help but look like a bright new year.

Be blessed. Know that God loves you...yes, even you...and so do I.
Jude

Loosing Dear Friends

Sometimes, we loose touch with dear friends. It is a sad fact of living in a time of the world when people move about more than they used to. We form fast friendships that withstand the test of time, though only meeting through the odd card or visit as the years pass. Today, I found out that I lost just such a dear friends. They left about this time last year, and I just now found out about it. The usual Christmas and birthday cards were sent. I never thought much of the fact that I did not receive one from them, as sometimes we missed a year or two, but eventually, would think of each other and send a letter or card, again or phone or even drop in for a visit.

The family I am refering to are the Hill's; Larry, Maureen, Rebecca, and Greg. Rebecca telephoned me tonight to inform me that both of her parents had passed away. Maureen was in the middle of chemo-therapy when they moved to Devlin; what seems like an awful lot of years ago, now. I remember meeting her. She had a bandana on and told me that she had lost her hair. With that said, she whipped off the scarf and showed me. It is her sense of humour that attracted me to her. Nothing seemed to rattle her to the point where she lost that sense of humour.

Maureen succumbed to cancer on May 23, 2006. A few short weeks later, Larry was killed in an accident. His motorcycle was hit by a pickup truck. (the man was charged)

In such a short time, Rebecca and Greg lost both of their parents. No wonder it took her a year to finally be able to call me and let me know. She told me that she had only called a few people. She just could not handle saying the words, "both of my parents are dead." How I remember the difficulty of just breathing in and out when my own parents died, and I had a few years between the losses.

My heart is quite broken over it. Maureen and Larry were very special people, and very special to me. Most especially, Maureen. Since she had cancer when I met her, and for the few years they lived nearby, we shared a lot about our fears, desires, faith, and joys; she has always stood, for me, the perfect example of courage. She never complained, even though I knew she had some very ill and painful days. She just took each day and rejoiced in the gift of it.

Even talking of her now, I can see her radiant smile and hear her laughter.

It all reminds me of how very precious the people in my life are, and how very fragile life really is. My life is much richer because of the blessing of this family in my life. Both Larry and Maureen will live on in my heart. The memory of their loving, teasing relationship will always bring a smile to my lips and a tear to my eye, as I will miss knowing that they are there, with a room, when I am travelling in their direction.

As I sat in my office, and finally let the tears flow, I was taken by a thought of complete joy; Those two loved each other, like no other couple I have ever met. What awesome grace that they did not have to wait long to be together again. Larry always seemed like he would be quite lost without Maureen as his anchor. Maureen always told me that Larry always gave her a reason to smile. So, while I am selfishly mourning them, I am also rejoicing in the thought that they are together. No doubt, Larry has a few jokes to play on the folks in Heaven, and is bringing a smile to many a celestial lip.

So, in closing this note, I want to remind you of how very fragile life is. How very short your time may be to let those around you know how much you love them. How very little time we have to "get our house in order" and how very important it is to keep it that way. Live each day as if it will be your last. Don't let an opportunity to love, help, or improve pass you by.

Love on you all, Jude