Challenge of Positivity Accepted

This time of year, I hear so many people say, "I can't wait for this year to be over."
To me, that just seems to be a lack of appreciation and gratefulness for life.

Even at my lowest times, I haven't wished for a year to hurry up and pass. For one thing, this whole aging process is not something I'm embracing with love and affection. So, to have another year pass quickly - well...

A friend of mine posted a challenge on her Facebook page that I gladly accepted. She challenged everyone to start the year off with a positive post, either about your own life or about the lives of others. Mine is this entry to my blog -- my gratefulness for life and all that surrounds me.

2014 has been a particularly interesting year for me - full of growth (yes, even a 61-year old woman can grow), fun, travel, love, acceptance and change.

The year was full of trying new things and going outside of our regular comfort zones. We began by cultivating our own vegetable garden; two people who had always kept a prize-winning, well manicured yard, but had never lifted a finger (or green thumb) to growing tomatoes, green beans, corn and cucumbers. We harvested quite a few Seminole Heritage Pumpkins and enjoyed them throughout this past fall.

I was finally strong enough to go through all of my mother's things and donate her clothing and her bedroom furniture to charity, separate some photos to eventually give to other family members and make big changes to what used to be her bedroom and bathroom. ('Though truth be told, I still often smell her in there. I think she likes the changes.) This year, I'll tackle her living room. Everything in good time.

One of several highlights of the year was the surprise visit by my brother, older sister and my cousin and her husband when Mother's memory was honored at a luncheon to benefit Girl Scouts. I will never, ever be able to truly express my surprise when they arrived, nor my gratitude to them for being here to be a part of the celebration. Getting to know my cousin has helped me over a hurdle that I didn't even realize was blocking my journey, and through her, I feel even closer to Mother and Dad.

We've traveled more this year than any other I can recall. And those travels forced me to face my fear of flying and heights - over and over. (I faced them, but I didn't quite conquer them.) We were so blessed to be able to travel to Seattle, Alaska and Vancouver with our son and his wife, seeing sights I never imagined and sharing the love of the outdoors. Being with them - experiencing all that we did together - helped bring me back to life and made me feel good about and accepting of all things.



After 16-years with the same company and 10-years in the same position, I gave my notice and left to start a new career as a development director for a non-profit. This was a huge step and a decision that took me nearly two-years to make. But the very instant it was made, I knew it was right for me - the world suddenly lifted off my shoulders and I felt free. Free of deadlines, free of a 60-65 hour work week, free of the commute - free. For the first time in 10-years, I'm able to live in the moment, and not two-weeks in advance. It's unbelievable how that has changed my life. No longer am I rushing off to cover a story, but rather I spend evenings with my love. I haven't looked back for even one moment. A new challenge, but well worth it at this time in my life.

 

Our blessings continue with a daughter-in-law who understands my emotional attachment to lost traditions as she helps create new ones that have often brought tears to our eyes -- tears brought on by laughter. I look forward to more of her surprises.

 

We'll close out the year as we started it, surrounded by family and friends as the clock strikes midnight. I'm so grateful I can see the light, even if it took me 61-years.

 

Blessings to all of you and your families for a healthy and prosperous 2015.

 

Happy New Year, Mom and Dad.