“Beginnings are mostly scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s what in the middle that counts.” Hope Floats
My youngest grandson, Reese, had an experience in his kindergarten class a couple of weeks ago which reflects my feelings exactly as we enter this new year. His teacher was calling out vocabulary words to the class – easy ones. In the expertise of a teacher, she then challenged the class by saying, “Ya’ll are so smart, I am going to have to give you some really hard words now.” Reese threw up his hands and loudly exclaimed, “Oh Lord Jesus help us all!”
As I reflect on the year two thousand and sixteen, I realize that you never know what a year will bring! This year has had its share of changes for me…Randy’s retirement, my adjustment to that, Mama’s sudden death…our adjustment to that, and countless other things that are out of my control. I was thinking that this was the worst year, and I find myself repeating, Lord Jesus, help us all!
We were all at Mama’s this week loading furniture, cleaning out, and just generally tying up some loose ends. We had rented a dumpster, and we were methodically filling it up with 70 years of things! We put her nicer things in front of the dumpster hoping some one would need them. We put her computer monitor in front. As I was walking to the dumpster, yet again, a car pulled over and a little boy got out. He walked tentatively toward the monitor while looking at me. Randy and I saw him at the same time, and both of us waved him over. His mom got out of the car and came over to join us. She asked if he might have the monitor, and we happily gave it to him. As they thanked us and turned to walk away, she said to him, “See, son, Santa Claus did come this year after all.”
As we enter this new year, I am thinking that last year was really a good one. Randy is getting to enjoy the fruits of a job well done, my mama died exactly the way she wanted, and I can’t control everything! Just like that little boy, Santa did come this year after all. Lord Jesus help us all.
Happy New Year!
Remembering you,Diane. Thanking God!
Thank you, Mary Anne.
So beautifully said, Diane. You are amazing.
You are so sweet. Love you.
Diane, I just wanted you to know this blessed my heart this morning. I was especially touched by the story of going through your mom’s things. It reminded me of doing the same thing. Thank you for sharing your heart. God bless you and Randy. Now that you all are retired, come on up to the hills and have some coffee with us. We would love that!!
Hi Jane,
What a blessing to hear from you! Thank you. This sends my memory back to a time years ago when the four of us sat in a restaurant and talked about moves and careers. Seems a world away! We would love a visit with you and Warren. Let us know sometime that is good for you, and we will pass through your neck of the woods. Randy needs a hobby!!