At Year's End | One

It was a year of challenges and sorrows. There were bright joys too, and I will remember them.  In 365 days there were five that colored all the rest:

• January 2nd, the day that Amy injured her knee. What followed was months of pain, physical therapy, surgery in May (and a four day hospital stay) and more months of recuperation and PT--ten months in all before she was able to fully use her leg.

• March 4th, the day that I wrote the first four pages of my novel manuscript--my attempt to bring a bit of fun to the end of a hard winter, mostly to entertain Amy, who is my devoted first reader.

•  April 10th, the day that my eight year old black lab died. It's hard for me to think about, still. He had carcinoma and his health deteriorated quickly. My son and I were with him through the end...I felt Buddy's heart stop beating under my hand.

•  June 24th, the happiest day of the year--the day that Dan the Pug Man delivered a two pound, eight week old puglet to our door. We named him Elvis. Thank you God for blessing me with new friends!

• September 4th, the darkest day--the day of a grave mistake. It took me weeks to put things right in my life. I am still reeling from how everything can change in a moment, but I thank God for even this low valley because: I learned a lot about who I am, and I have re-ordered my priorities.

In these last days of the year I am reflecting on the past and looking ahead with a January spirit--which is my birthday month!