Hello and Happy New Year! Forgive me for not writing sooner. Sometimes I don’t write because I’m just not sure what to say…I KNOW…ME not knowing what to say! That’s a new one. **chuckle** But, I have to say that this past 20 months or so have left me speechless at times. I want so to glean the best out of these months and sometimes it’s difficult as I watch Mom struggling. But, my beautiful daughters have reminded me of “a child’s faith” and they heal my soul with their spirit that accepts things just as they are and likes them that way. This subject could be one for an entire blog sometime. As the year comes to an end, I have to say it was truly a blessed one and one that was easier to handle than the year before. Our family is getting ready for a big trip to Mexico, where the girls will actually have the chance to attend a school in Los Barriles. We’re excited about our trip, though NOT excited about leaving Mother behind in Colorado.
Mom is home with us and we’ve had a lovely time. She’s doing pretty well, but fights depression. The insult to the right side of her brain makes it even more trouble for her to have faith and a positive attitude. But, she fights it and so far “I can’t” never has turned into “I won’t” and she usually DOES! People are so important to her and she knows everyone and probably has more memories about you and her than YOU recall! Dena is such a grateful person. This week, she brought tears to my eyes when she told me that I have done all that I can to make her life as full and meaningful as possible. But, that I could only do so much, having my family to take care off, and my own life too… that I needed to remember that SHE could only do her best, too and that she was trying. Her New Year’s resolution is to accept where she is and be content with the moments of her day. She told me that when she is gone she wanted me to know that she always loves me and that I did my best. She said, “When I’m gone, don’t ever give it another thought. Don’t look back. You’ve taken good care of me.” I just want you to know what a loving and lovely person she is through this difficult time. She is forever fretting over someone that she loves and says, “thank you” around every corner. But, she thinks every time she sees you may be her last and she’s thought this way for many many months. That wears on me sometimes. She has SOME cranky days. But, those are mostly when she is not tracking things as well as usual, like when she as thought I’d already left for Mexico several days our of the past 6 weeks, when we won’t be leaving, now, for another 2 weeks! Today, we had a special breakfast with everyone’s favorites. Stefi and Mom set the table with Mother’s ruby-red antique dishes. We took the ornaments off the tree and remembered each one as they went back in the boxes and we spent some time with Mom recording our new New Year’s song.
We spent last evening with “the gang”, Jeanne and John, Mary and her daughter, Pat and her husband Paul, Jean, and Lois Vance. RJ’s Restaurant near Cedaredge, Colorado was packed with people and everyone was in a festive mood. I wrote the New Year’s song yesterday that I sang to our table. In another entry, I’ll include our recording where the entire family sings, “Another Year”.
For now, I’ll write out the words for you. YOU are some of the blessings I count in this song. Thank you, so, for your love, support, and laughter this past year.
ANOTHER YEAR
Chorus: You and I made it through another year
We’ve had our share of laughter and tears
Now I say raise your glass and share the cheer
I’ll sing a song of thanks that we’re all together here
And for the new year, RING it ON..Bring it ON
Welcome the new year in song…
It went by so fast, where did it go
We lost some loves..We’ll miss them so
But, we’re still here despite any trial
We’ve made it to this place of embraces and smiles
CHORUS:
Now we look ahead. The best is yet to come.
We’ll make our resolutions and try to keep one.
The thing I cherish most about a new year
Is counting my blessings
I’m so glad that you’re here…
CHORUS:
You go girl!