Unexpected Blessings
It IS a New Year...and to quote Rhonda, "I love New Years... It just feels like a giant, heaping, extra dose of New Mercies!" I do love the Mercies part. Every year at this time I think to myself I get to begin again.again. (not a typo) The odd thing is, I can choose to begin "again" each morning, ANY time of the year. So why at this time? It seems it's easier if the whole planet is with me on this. Start anew. Recommit. New Resolutions. Out with the old...in with the New.
Difficult to escape the festivities but I seemed to manage fairly well. Just don't watch it on the "boob tube"! Create my own celebration. Do what satisfies my soul, keeping my promise to myself to "take care" of ME. (following doctor's orders to nurse some badly bruised ribs to start!)
I was less happy about much of 2012, but thankful at the same time for the lessons, the opportunities, and definitely the relationships that did grow in times of hardship. Especially this one.
This woman, my friend, and my sister, was and continues to be challenged in her longest relationship...mom.
Added up, we've spent weeks on the phone. No emails, as she doesn't yet have one hooked up. (workin on that). I dropped much of everything when she needed to just talk. I was happy to do it. I wanted to do it...and needed to be needed in a way. I couldn't have been 350 miles away while mom was at her worst, without knowing she was there to take care of her...and she assured me she couldn't do it unless she knew she had me to lean on when needed. Needless to say, our relationship is the richest I'd ever thought it could be. An unexpected blessing, beyond a belief I'd thought was possible.
I hear so many say they are glad to say goodbye to the last year. I heard once that when you pray for patience...be careful. What brings about patience is exactly what one is trying to avoid. So if I hate what I just experienced...I think I may just get more of it until I learn to embrace the lesson knowing that there is a reward. (Remember studying for that test...and how happy you were to "pass" or get that much earned "A"?) I've never been a great student, hence the B's C's, and well you get it. I am more of the type that reflects and says..."Sheez that was the pits. I'm gonna give it another try...but different like!"
Counting my "Unexpected Blessings"...there are new girlfriends, and little people, and photographer people and dancer people...and income opportunities...that I am very excited to be in relationship with. Happy or not...welcome 2013.
in-joy,
~dl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9rbeluKycU
