The holidaze has come and gone. 2011 has come and gone. Phew. That went fast. I have been on vacation - staycation - since December 17. You'd think I could have taken the time to put together a decent blog post on one of those vacation days, but it's been one of those seasons. People have been dropping like flies all around me. Seems like everyone has that winter cold that grabs you by the throat. There was shopping and crafting to be done, and cooking and cleaning and laundry to be caught up with. The days have flown by quickly (they do that this time of year!), even though we've skipped most holiday events, except those involving family. The family gatherings have been multiple, subdued, and, actually, really lovely. Thank goodness for family.
It's my sister who's been through the wringer over the holidaze. During the week before Christmas, she participated in a one-day nurses union strike (and SO MANY days of negotiations leading up to the strike), her husband was hospitalized with appendicitis, her father-in-law died on Christmas Eve, and now her husband's back in the hospital. And that's the abbreviated version. At least all her kids were home for the winter break. And they are grown up enough to take care of themselves and keep a festive attitude going, even when shadows have invaded from all directions.
I have spent most of this break counting my blessings. Whether or not 2012 got off to a good start, things are looking up. I'm fortunate to be busy, learning how to say no, and also learning when to say yes. I love it that life is never boring, even as it's throwing you curve balls. And as for keeping up with things, well things are sometimes prettier when they're a little blurry.
So that's my "new" approach. It's recycled, but that's good. I'm not making any big resolutions. I just want to live as much in the present as possible and enjoy life.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
