Reflecting On 2010

 Last year I wrote a post looking back on the year. I used a format similar to one I saw on another blog. I thought I'd continue the tradition this year.

1. What were the highlights or accomplishments?

• Watching Brian turn a money pit into a beautiful house!
• Finding a home school method that works for our family
• A renewed relationship with our daughter and her family
• Hearing a long awaited decision concerning our foster daughter

2.What were the major themes?

• Stress!
• Long hours of work
• Waiting for other people to make life changing decisions for our family
• Making our own life changing decisions  

3.What disappointments or regrets did you experience?

• Not having enough free time to just enjoy our family
• Not having some issues resolved in a satisfactory way
• Gaining back much of the weight I lost at the beginning of the year!

4. What was missing from the past year?

• Fun and relaxation!
• Time with family

5. What did you learn from the past year?

• I know even less this year than I thought I knew last year and the year before. But God knows, and I need to spend less time stressing and more time trusting!
• I'm lousy at maintaining a healthy lifestyle....but then I already knew that!
• If at first you don't succeed, try, try again....yup, knew that too.

We look to 2011 with anticipation and thanksgiving!

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Where I Am From

   Memories are wonderful, and they are made up of so many different things that come together and leave an imprint in the mind. Sometimes they are as clear as if they happened yesterday, and sometimes they are just bits and fragments...a sound, a scent, a taste, a feeling. 

  Many years ago, I came across a blog that had a little picture with the words, "Where are you from?" I clicked on it and found that it was based on a poem, and that many people had written their own version, based on their own life. I loved the one I read, so I decided to write my own.

   Some of my childhood memories will sound familiar to my kids and grandkids, but many of them will be things that they may never experience. I believe that taking the time to jot down some of these memories is a nice memoir to pass down to future generations. I'd love to have one written by each of my siblings, and my children!

  

Where I Am From

I am from the prairies, from the crocus and the cowslips, 

and the pussy willows in springtime.

 I am from walking barefoot on hot sandy roads.

I am from swimming in Jackson Lake, dugouts and swamps in the summer; 

from climbing trees, and swinging from ropes tied around branches.

I am from skating on ponds, and playing in the snow after dark in the winter;

 building snow forts and making homemade snow shoes from spruce bows; 

from sliding down hills with cardboard for a sled.

I am from walking with my brothers around a four mile country block, 

and walking along the railway tracks collecting shiny stones; 

from exploring the Collie Hills and old vacant houses.

I am from a one room school house; 

from playing games in the basement in winter, 

and playing Johnny Can’t Cross the River 

and Pump, Pump, Pull Away in the spring and fall. 

I am from practicing for the Christmas Concert at Arizona Hall, 

and going to Field day in Austin.

I am from Spruce Woods Park, 

the Assiniboine River,

and the Carberry Desert.

     

                             I am from strawberry fields and picking cucumbers; 

from bouquets of glads for the farmer’s market, 

and from strolling through Mom and Dad’s garden.

I am from Sunday supper, roast beef and potatoes;

and from fiddle diddles and spice cake,

and I am from Sunday drives to tour the gardens at Morden, 

and climbing Mount Nebo in Miami.

 I am from Manitoba.

I am from putting one foot in front of the other,

and what goes around comes around; 

I am from befriending the friendless and rooting for the underdog.

I am from Gerald and Ede Blair.

That's where I am from. Where are you from?

   This is an updated version of that old post that I wrote back in 2008.

Read the original Where I Am From, by George Ella Lyon.

Tribute To My Dad

Gerald Blair   October 28, 1927- December 16, 2009

Two of Dad's favorite songs, Farther Along and You Know that You Know It.

Read Dad's testimony in the post below.

Reflecting On 2009

The other day, I read on another blog, a post about reviewing the year. The author posted several questions as a starting point to use in reflecting on the past 12 months. It was an interesting exercise, so I thought I'd post my own simplified version.

1. What were the highlights or accomplishments of the past year?

*Trip to Alberta to visit our son and his family
*Being a friend when it wasn’t popular to do so
*The birth of three grandchildren!

2. What were the major themes of the past year?

*Changes for Mom & Dad – the move from the farm, and Dad’s poor health and subsequent death
*Unresolved conflict

3. What disappointments or regrets did you experience?

*Disappointment in people I trusted
*I regret not taking a stronger stand for what is right.
*I regret wasting a lot of time due to unwillingness to make difficult choices.

4. What was missing from the past year?

*Clear direction or vision
*An abundant spiritual life
*A close relationship with my daughters and grandchildren

5. What did you learn from the past year?

*No matter what a person’s position, we all make mistakes.

Admitting to mistakes is a humbling experience, but it makes you a better person and resolves a lot of problems. (learned long ago, but reaffirmed this year)

*I need to do the right thing according to God’s word, no matter what someone else thinks I should do. (learned long ago but reaffirmed)

*Confronting issues rather than hoping they will resolve themselves never works. (also learned long ago, but reaffirmed)
*History truly does repeat itself!
*I know less this year than I thought I knew last year.

When I was finishing writing my book, "Stepping Stones Along My Journey," in 2008, I kept thinking, "Maybe I should wait; surely I'll be wiser next year! I've experienced so little....do I really have anything to say that's going to be a help to people?" I find myself feeling that way again, or perhaps, still........feeling that at the age of 51, surely I should be wiser, life should be simpler, the future clearer, more settled. 2009 has been a difficult year in many ways.....uncertainty about our foster daughter's future, some health issues for myself, Brian and Jerry, Mom and Dad's move from the farm, Dad's deteriorating health, and finally his recent death, but the most difficult has been an ongoing uncertainty about God's direction for our lives. Brian and I have spent the past year praying for a specific miracle and waiting on God's answer to some difficult questions....a miracle that we now know isn't going to happen. We have our answer, and our future is becoming a little clearer, but it doesn't mean the path ahead is going to be easier. But 2009 also had some wonderful highlights, such as the birth of three more grandchildren, and an answered prayer regarding our relationship with one of our daughters.
In spite of all the ups and downs of this past year, God has brought us through all the rocks and rubble on the road. If we just keep our eyes on him, he’ll lead the rest of the way. I'm so thankful that I don't have to know what is around the next curve in the road, I just have to trust the one who does!

How was your past year? Do you have any goals or plans for the coming year?

Looking forward to 2010!

Psalm 25:9 & 10 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Saying Goodbye

This past weekend, Mom & Dad said goodbye to the farm that has been their home since they were married, almost 61 years ago. Their anniversary will be August 21st. I wrote a song for their 50th anniversary, and thought I'd include the chorus here.... revised for the occasion.

Sixty years of golden memories, seems like only yesterday,

they committed to each other; together come what may.

Now they've built a life together, and they've raised a family,

as they've travelled on this journey filled with golden memories.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now they are about to begin another stage of this journey, and we know that God will continue to bless them as they journey on their way together.

Thanks for stopping by....the garden is still open here! ~~~Deb