Well, 2012 is wrapped up and put away. I am grateful for photos because as memories begin to fade, we can always look back on our yearly highlights and sometimes low-lights with fondness. Some of you may have made resolutions, or at least thought to yourself, "How will this year be different?" I don't really have that luxury this year as almost everything looks to change. This time next year, life will look different. This is why on New Year's Eve I tears came to my eyes when the 4 of us sat around the Christmas tree one last time to exchange our "last gift". We have a tradition, handed down from my family, to open one more gift on New Year's Eve. It is typically something small (no I-Phones or bikes or UGG boots). It brings us together and we can enjoy the lights and sit and talk about our hopes for the next year only hours away. This year, Thomas sat and played the piano and it struck me, "Will this be the last time I do this in my home?"…This is the house where we raised our boys: I changed diapers in this house, hosted sports teams, drum-line kids, notebook burnings, and wedding showers. As I found myself wiping tears, it dawned on me that instead of being sad, I should be happy. Sometimes God gives us a new start. Maybe this home would get lonely with both boys off doing their thing. The bedrooms become empty homagges to our kids, complete with clean closets and mini memorabilia shelves. The clothes in the closet become obsolete, the books in the closet available online. I think it is more about the childhood dream, than the ultimate reality. When my parents moved out of our childhood home, we were NOT happy. It was best for my parents, but not best for ME. Now here I sit in the same position, only older and wiser. I am lucky: my boys are excited. They don't really look at a house the same way that I do. They figure that wherever we move, they can crash and feel home by virtue of the fact that we are there. I guess I always envisioned living somewhere "forever" that our kids and grandkids would come home to and visit. Sometimes you have to think out of the box and go with what adventure lies ahead. With that in mind, I guess my New Year's resolution for 2013 is to let God do something bigger and unexpected in my life without putting on the brakes at every turn. He's good at that!
Happy 2013 and Thank You for Reading my crazy blog!
Coffee Talk Mom
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