As I look ahead to Christmas and to the New Year, it is great fun to look back on this year, to recount some of the adventures I’ve been on, and to list some of the wonders that I have seen, experienced, and survived in 2004. I have so very much to be thankful for; here are a few things that came to mind this afternoon.
- I survived an entire month on the road with the kids this summer: NYC, MA, CT, VT and many places in between.
- The minivan held up quite well. After checking out of the rather impressive Northampton Inn, we discovered a flat tire on the van. Fortunately we were just a few yards away from a service station, one of the few full service stations still in existence in the northeast.
- The Inn at Manchester in Vermont: such gracious hospitality and wonderful breakfasts. Daniel loved waffles and ice cream for breakfast.
- The innkeepers hailed from North Carolina, so it was a taste of southern comfort all the way up there in Vermont. They loved seeing our NC license plates.
- walking around the lake up there one bright morning with Daniel and Kristiana
- horseback riding camp for the two of them in Williamstown, MA
- mornings free for me while they practiced their riding skills: sweet freedom
- being reunited with long-lost friends there in Billsville
- watching him excel at shortstop on the baseball field and her on the softball pitching mound during their summer seasons here in Charlotte upon our return
- tennis: finding an excellent coach and improving by leaps and bounds
- my trip to Spain in September for my dear friend’s wedding
- long walks on tree-lined boulevards there in my favorite city
- paella, gambas al ajillo, and chamomile tea every evening after dinner
- seeing my friend so happy with her new husband
- remembering the delirious joy of new love: no one else in the world exists
- lots of writing in various formats
- rereading journals that have been filled with the year’s events
- looking forward to what the new year will bring
- making my dream list for 2005: Mondo Beyondo!
- I am thankful for new friendships formed – what lies ahead???
- I am thankful for old friendships maintained – missing the distant ones terribly
- I love catching up on the telephone, laughing, listening between the lines, trying to imagine where they are, how they are doing, and wishing them all the best
- it’s been a year of good health for me and my family
- I survived a couple of health scares without too much undue panic
- pausing in the midst of the uncertainty to give thanks for good health and good times gone by
- extreme gratitude when the good news was received that all was well
- last Saturday’s inspirational writing retreat with folks I hope will become good friends in the new year and beyond
- all the great ideas I made note of there that have yet to be explored
- turning 39 last week and being happier, more active, and more at peace than ever before
- recently discovering the sweet sounds of Norah Jones
- reading The Chronicles of Narnia aloud one chapter at a time with the kids: we have learned so many wonderful lessons of friendship, trust, and courage from this series
- experiencing vicariously their innocent wonder at the tales of Aslan’s strength and wisdom
- wrapping their presents and knowing how happy they will be on Christmas morning
- baking and enjoying the birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve
- eating dozens of Christmas cookies everyday this week
- sparkling apple cider punch
- the smell of cornbread/sausage stuffing in the oven, watching it steam on the dining room table, and then drowning it in giblet gravy on my plate: it's my favorite part of Christmas dinner - by far!
- warm, homemade sweet potato biscuits with melted butter oozing out of them
- Tae Bo tapes to keep the waistline within reasonable boundaries
- Looking forward to doing it all again next year!
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