A New Start

It would be no exaggeration to say, I am grateful 2011 is over. The highs spots seem to be too few and the low points seem as though there are too many to count...so, I want to review the high points! Since this is my first blog entry, this will be a summary of my year, but I promise future entries will be topic specific...
I had the opportunity to find out that when unable to get out of the house for days on end ( I had five surgeries in 2011,) self pity likes to take over my otherwise sassy self. Self pity is UGLY, and serves no purpose after about five minutes, and I am not good at maintaining a victim status. So my first high point is 2011 taught me gratitude for the provision of fantastic medical care and the resilience of the human body. I let myself rest to heal, and used the downtime to open my door to friends and family. In particular, my mom has been a cheerleader, an encourager, a sympathetic ear, and one heck of a maid! My friends have been soothing, entertaining, and full of surprises. If you come over to my home, you are going to be welcomed into rooms with window coverings that will stun you...because Jan and Maripat decided that my surroundings should comfort me in my year of recovery. They apparently emailed my friends, took up a collection that in no way covered the true cost, and my bedroom and living room drapes are a daily reminder that I am loved by friends and strangers and covered in kindness.
I began the year sending my lovely and high maintenance Bassett hound to stay on a farm with Jennifer since I could not provide adequate care for her for health reasons...and ended the year with two adopted cats who are my constant entertainment and bed buds. When Maggie (my dog) comes for visits, the cats, Flick and Mo realize they are not the only animals on the planet, and that too is entertaining. I learn from watching their territorial dance to be welcoming to people who, by their appearance, make me want to shy away before giving them a chance to grow on me.
My great niece, Olivia, was diagnosed with leukemia in July, an aggressive version I cannot spell...and received a bone marrow transplant in December from a 21 year old stranger from the bone marrow registry...wow...the gifts of strangers amaze me. Olivia is doing well, but the road is long and full of pain. She is an amazing trooper, and she has wonderful parents and grandparents who provide everything possible. Olivia teaches me by example to make hay while the sun shines. The high spot here is obviously that sweet Olivia is showing great signs of healing, and that often our provisions have nothing to do with our personal limited resources.
And then there is God....sometimes in 2011 I really questioned what sort of plan He had playing out in my life, but never questioned that He did have a plan. I have no sound answer to what the plan is, but I walk into 2012 planning to live large...shower my friends and family...and strangers...with love...say I am sorry quickly if I have committed an offense...and say I forgive you if you offend me, whether you ask forgiveness or not.
And I commit to writing about things that matter, or if they don't matter, make you laugh!
Come along side for the journey, I think it will be a great year.