A Year in Review

 

It's hard to believe that this is the last day of 2021. For me, it was a full year, a productive year. A year filled with joys and a year filled with sadness. But that is life in all of its richness and complexity.

I called 2021 "The Year of Getting Stuff Done". I find that having a theme rather than a resolution means that I am going to be a lot more successful. 

I found this quote from Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings to be very inspiring, and I kept it at my desk as a reminder.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

Isn't that so true?

So what did I get done? Here's a list!

Craft Projects!

Lots of craft projects got completed this year! I made a lot of Lori Holt stitch cards, and actually finished them off and displayed them in my home! woo hoo!

I made AND mailed a lot of cards this year! It makes me happy to make others happy with a little paper hug.

I made earrings and gave them as gifts.

I found a new system for storing my new Catherine Pooler inks. LOVE them!

I used my craft stash for a LOT of church projects.

Books! Lots of reading!

I turned off the television a LOT this year and turned to reading instead. I read almost two dozen books, too...and that includes finishing the Bible at the beginning of the year!  Here are some favorite fiction reads of 2021:

Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan

The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Favorite Non-Fiction Reads:

Reforesting Faith by Matthew Sleeth

The Deep Places by Ross Douthat

Frontier Foibles by Ree Drummond

Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey by Pastor Will Weedon

Take Heart: God's Comfort for Anxious Thoughts by Lindsay Hausch

Health!

I found new family doctors and had the battery of tests and procedures done that I'd been putting off.

I stuck to a new fitness regiment that includes weights, resistance bands, stability ball and cardio walking. This has helped me achieve a new level of what I call "functional fitness".

House!

The kitchen appliance and refresh was completed! yay!

New patio furniture...better late than never!

Lots of deep cleaning and organizing

Church!

A busy year for Fellowship! Sunday coffee fellowship hour, Ice Cream Social, Pastor's Retirement, New Pastor Installation, Welcome Picnic, Walk and Talks, Dine Outs, Advent Café, and so much more. I also joined choir and participated in bible studies.

Community!

In addition to writing features for our local paper, we participated in school events and sporting events, thanks to Sam! I was a guest speaker at our senior center. We also connected with neighbors frequently, and everyone seemed to enjoy the butterfly garden this year.

Work!

I am still amazed that God gave me this career that I can enjoy in the second act of life. I wrote more than two dozen feature articles for various publications this year. 

Family!

Last but certainly not least! I was able to care for family members in unique ways...helping our parents with cooking, cleaning, shopping, visiting. I was also able to visit with my sister and her husband while she was in hospice, which was such a blessing to me.

Sam's senior year has certainly kept us busy! College visits and applications, cross country events , senior photos...go go go! Just a few short months left and then it is off to the college of his choosing.

We also spent some good quality time as family celebrating together...Easter, Fourth of July picnic, birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas. We visited John in Indianapolis. We took a trip to Ft. Myer, Florida. We took all the sons for a long weekend of food and fun along Lake Michigan.

Movie nights. Festivals. Worship together, followed by brunch at one of our favorite diners. Lattes at our favorite cafes. Simple moments to connect face to face.

In review, 2021 was a year filled with blessings.

 Yes, my sister and sister-in-law passed from the Church Militant to becoming citizens of the Church Triumphant, and we continue to mourn the loss.  Just last night, we went out to eat at a restaurant that I had last visited with my sister. I told my husband "I still cannot believe that I live in a world that no longer includes Tina." Hard to fathom.  I know the busyness of the holidays may have pushed some mourning back to the recesses of my mind. 

Grief hits you when you least expect it. 

I read the first sentence of a book that said "Here's the thing I want you to know about my sister."

I instantly started sobbing. It caught me totally unprepared for the wave of emotions.

But Tina was a lover of life. She lived well, and she died well, too.

I am looking forward to 2022. A new theme. New challenges. New goals. New opportunities to serve and fill my calendar with good things.

New Year's Blessings, café friends!