Happy New Year

I have learned a lot this year and I feel have also grown in maturity. Tough circumstances will do that. My husband has been gone either for training or his deployment for all of 2010 with the exception of about two and a half months. Of course, leaving me to pretty much take care of everything, including raising our beautiful baby boy, all by myself. We have a yard that outgrew us with all it's trees, flowers and weeds. Did I mention weeds? My mom broke her ankle and my grandmother died all about the same time. My Godfather's health is deteriorating even further as Alzheimer's grows closer to claiming his too short life.

It has been one of those years. But doesn't each year bring hardships? And don't we always find ways to make it through? I have come to the conclusion that bad or difficult things are going to happen. That is part of life. But, you know what else is part of life? Grace, mercy, laughter, happiness, joy, contentment and peace. It is all about what filter you look through. Am I going to look through the filter of happiness and contentment, or am I going to look through the filter of difficulty, pain and hurt?

This year, I learned to do the former. You see, I have been a witness to those who have chosen to live instead of wallow. I have been the recipient of more love and grace than I am probably deserving of. My cup runneth over as individuals and organizations chose to reach out and help us this year and how through all the hard things, love overcame. My husband has been gone while doing a very important job. But it caused us to appreciate every second we do have together and to learn to communicate on a deeper level. My mom broke her ankle and my grandmother died, but a week later we welcomed a new member to the family, my nephew's wife Erin, followed by their baby boy in the fall. And while there is no cure for my Godfather, we as a family have learned that life does go on, as does love.

I pray we all continue to learn the same lesson as 2011 approaches and goes by all too fast, just as each year seems to do. Enjoy each moment. Make the most of it. Choose to laugh until you cry instead of crying and forgetting to laugh.

Happy New Year!!!!!