Fresh Start

Here we are at the tail end of 2018. Our calendars are all used up and looking over mine, it looks like I had a very busy schedule. Oh wait! All those squares were filled in with bills to pay, doctor appointments, and obligations! Hmmm? Well, let’s see if I can’t add some fun things to those squares in 2019.

I bought myself a nice pretty calendar of “gardens”. Not a snow picture in the entire year. Snow pictures are very pretty, but I might suggest you folks that live in snow country get yourself a pretty garden calendar too. It’s full of color and life, and if you get tired of pulling on snow boots, your parka, and shoveling the driveway, you can turn on some nice music, hang your garden calendar on the wall near the table, and pretend it’s a window!

For Christmas I gave my husband a 2019 “To Do” list, but it’s not what you might think. It’s a list of places to go, things to experience, and new adventures. Some of them are simple and easy, like picking out four new restaurants, exploring a new bike trail, taking the kayak somewhere we’ve never been before. There were some that were uncomplicated, that just require getting out of our routine, like going to the beach once a month, and spending more time in the pool. Some of them are bigger adventures like a trip to Bahamas, or a riverboat cruise for our 40th anniversary. I also challenged him to find a new place locally to explore.

The list included spending more time with our kids and grandkids. Shortly after Christmas our daughter sprained her ankle badly, and is unable to put any weight on it. Since our son-in-law works 24 hr shifts, someone needs to pick up the slack. Not being able to stand and chasing after a toddler does not go together. The other day when we were helping out, Mariah said with a smile, “Well, spending more time with your grandchildren was on your list.” That was NOT what we meant!

Whatever pictures are on your 2019 calendar, may the fresh squares be filled in with experiences and adventures, both grand and small. Then at the end of the year you will see a year well lived, and those bills and doctor’s appointments will only be footnotes in a far bigger story.