Welcome, 2014!

And good riddance, 2013!  I have no idea what the coming year will bring, but after the past year ending as it did, I'm glad to move on.

There was our heating going out on us at a cost of $900 in November.  Then my digital camera died, my MP3 player died and my laptop died, all in rapid succession.  A week or so before Christmas, we got a dread illness--all 8 of us at once--and for a few days we looked like a triage unit in the livingroom, with blanket-wrapped bodies going in and out of consciousness, groaning and coughing.  We rallied in time for Christmas, thanks be to God.  My sister had a nasty colitis flare-up that we worried might put her into the hospital (that, too, has abated, thanks to many, many prayers), and a storm blew 25 shingles off our brand new roof.  The roofers were kind enough to come out and make repairs at no charge, even though a storm of that force will loosen even the tightest of shingles.

Even though 2014 is beginning with an arctic cold-snap, I'm still encouraged, and it has nothing to do with anything getting better.  What's encouraging is that in spite of the fact that I really don't expect anything to get better, I'm sort of okay with that.  God's carried me through this far, and I have confidence that He'll continue to do so.

Some positive thoughts about the start of this year:  both Una and I are writing, and loving it.  It feels good, although it is partially responsible for my having dropped the blog recently.  I have time to write or read or blog or knit...but not all the above.  So some things have taken a backseat.

I have kept up with running on the treadmill and after 3 months, I'm running 2 miles without stopping.  That feels really good, since I couldn't do that before at any time in my life, being of the nonathletic sort.  I'm slowly learning how to use my new camera (a gift from my mother and sister for my 50th birthday) and figuring out Windows 8.1 on my new laptop.

I don't usually make resolutions for the new year, but I hope to continue to write, to blog, to learn how to take great photos.  I hope to spend more time reading to Gemma, and I will ready Dominic for his first confession and Holy Communion this year.  I hope to live and love more fully, as time passes quickly and each year ends with me dizzily asking where 12 months went...

I wish everyone a very happy year ahead.  I hope you and your families enjoy good health, peace of mind, many joyful moments and memories worth keeping.  Because life is never completely without trouble and pain, I hope that your good times outweigh your bad, and then the pleasures outnumber the sufferings.  May you be able to always have enough of the things you need and a little extra, too.  May you give love and receive it, create some beauty in your surroundings, share laughter in good company and end the year with much to look back upon fondly.

God be with you.