|
Happy New Year!
Here's to a happy and healthy 2012!
One of my favorite quotes and wise words for the beginning of a New Year: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ― Mark Twain Happy Holidays
Whatever you may celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends. May there be delicious food to enjoy, and lively conversation that brings lots of laughter (with my parents and brother joining us for Christmas, that is a guarantee). Love, encourage and inspire each other.
Happy Holidays to all! And to all a good night. It began with a photograph
Today marks the anniversary of our marriage twenty-two years ago. It was the coldest day in Dallas history for December 23rd. FOUR DEGREES. And that, my friends, is cold anywhere but is especially cold when it never gets anywhere near that temperature. A freak storm had hit much of Texas. One of my bridesmaids was almost iced-in in Houston. If I remember correctly, I think she even missed the rehearsal, but her flight came in soon after so she made it for the wedding. When we left, everyone threw rice at us from INSIDE the church because it was simply too cold to wish us congratulations outside! Twenty-two years. A marriage that has spanned seven moves in four states, withstood seven years in the military, experienced several job changes, encountered many ups and downs, and produced two amazing, beautiful children. My life has truly been blessed, and I couldn't have asked for anything more! Yesterday...
Yesterday my firstborn turned 18. Yep, you read that right...18. What a milestone birthday. I can hardly believe how fast those years have gone by. I have to say, I wasn't really sad about it. This is an exciting time for David--a new chapter in his life is about to begin.
Of course, I thought about things over the years that I wished I had done differently (Warning: conditions are favorable for some Mommy Guilt here). I had started a journal when he was little...didn't keep that up. I started to make a list of funny things he said...didn't keep that up (plus there were really too many to list), never put notes in his lunchbox (okay, maybe once or twice), got store-bought cakes for the last few birthdays (gasp!). Oh, I could go on and on. But I did sit down yesterday and write a heartfelt letter to him. Things I certainly could have said to him face to face, but I liked the idea of a letter more. I am just so proud of the person he has become. Now I wish that I had written him a letter every year! Mommy Guilt never goes away... On this day...
On this day thirteen years ago, my daughter, Katie, was born. I remember looking out of my hopsital room window that morning holding her in my arms and seeing the red, orange and yellow leaves of the fall, and knowing that the temperature was crisp and cool (this was Kentucky in October...it was probably 60 degrees!). I remember thinking that this beautiful new little person wrapped snuggly in a blanket could not have been born on a more perfect day. I love that both of my kids were born in the fall (my birthday is in the spring, and when it is (finally) spring, I always think that it is also the perfect time to have been born--this is just how conveniently my mind works for me).
I can't believe how quickly these wonderful thirteen years has flown by (and I sure don't feel old enough to have TWO teenages). photographs to be posted later. |
