Ending another year

I know that most of us celebrate the end of a year and the beginning of another year on December 31, and Jan. 1.  For me, that was the norm for many, many years.  It was, in fact, the norm because my life seemed to pass effortlessly from one year into the next.  The major events during those times evolved around births, marriages, professional careers, acquisitons of house, car etc. the accomplishments of children, college and all those events that allowed us to somehow become oblivious to the infirmities of aging.  

Once I entered the later decades of my life, my celebrations began to center around things like:  Ending a good year with no major illnesses, losses, etc.   I am finding as the decades advance that my yearly celebrations are marked by Lee's date of new lung, my surgeries, various weddings and divorces, deaths, and of course birthdays.  Sometimes my conversations center around remembering a particular date as to how it happened to coincide with any of the above.

And so it is today that I reflect, as I approach another year in this decade of my life.  I have to admit, that it is with trepidation, admitting that my life's journey is now traveling at "warp speed" toward its finality.  I will, however, remember what I once read:  "If you did not know your age, how old would you be?"  Keeping that wise philosophical point  in mind, I plan to do the following this week:

1.  Cover all the mirrors in the house
2.  Eat ice cream and cake
3.  Order my favorite foods such as pizza and lasagna
4.  Hide the weight scales
5.  Visit as many friends as I can
6.  Take short walks with no regard for exercise, and relish the splendor of outdoors on the farm
7.  Sit on the poarch swing with Lee in the early evening and enjoy the sunset together
8.  Watch the sunrise from my favorite chair, along with coffee and my favorite book and silence of T.V.
9.  Call my children and insist on a conversation longer than 5 minutes
10. Remember that I am only as old as I feel...............and this week, I will be 26!

I know this blog has been all about me....................after all, it is MY birthday week!  Seriously, I do want you to know ( and you may have guessed by now) that Lee is doing GREAT!  This has been a fabulous Summer for both of us.  Our life has been closer to normal than it has been in the past three years.  He continues to amaze me with his fortitude, his determination, and his ability to rise above the challenges he continues to face each day.  The blessings of his returning health, strength, and his love,  are the BEST birthday presents I could ever hope to receive.

I will remind him that he is fortunate this week ( and this week only) to have a 26 year-old wife! 

More Later....................................Brenda