A Few Moments To Reflect

Every year I am in awe at the number of the year we are entering! While growing up in the ’70s, the year 2000 seemed like science fiction and here it is 2023. The older you get, the more you realize those sci-fi books you read back in the day are more realistic fiction. It makes you wonder what’s to come but can’t dwell because you have to be in this moment of time.

For me, most New Year’s celebrations marked the end of the holidays, but life circumstances have dictated otherwise for 2022.  I don’t make resolutions because I believe every day is an opportunity to make changes and work on being the best version of yourself – but I do believe in reflecting and seeing what I did learn and how I choose to live my life moving forward.

In 2022, I lost another beloved family member,  turned 60, spent a good part of the year in a cast or splint with an injury to one limb or another, was diagnosed with rare cancer, and dealt with an unpleasant case of Covid.  

There is also the other stuff I don’t share.  The endless political disputes and obstacles to overcome behind the scenes within my family are a big part of my reality. While the smiles in my pictures are genuine, sometimes they require effort.  I realized a long time ago there is no such thing as a perfect family.  Every family is beautiful in its own way because every human is beautiful. But perfect?  Not even close.  I can only hope that one day there won’t be any divisiveness.

And that’s where this post takes a turn. 

It’s all about hope!  Through everything I experience, I will always have an abundance of hope!  I will never give up.  It’s all the more reason why you have to get everything you can out of the good moments … be in them and enjoy them!  The tough ones are going to happen and if you dwell on the hard ones, you may miss the ones you need more – the precious times when love and hope are in abundance.

The moment when you’re at the top of the mountain and the view takes your breath away.  Stay in that space for as long as you can.  Make sure to take lots of deep breaths, and look at the perfection of God’s gift of nature. The beauty of the fluffy white cloud floating by and how warm the sun feels on your face.  Take note of the absolute peace in your heart and quiet of the mind. At that moment, I hope you realize life is like the view – magical with endless possibilities.

And the moments of love …

Like the time your kids, grandchildren, and mom are under one roof on that mountaintop. The one where your birthday wish is granted and the most important parts of your life come together as one. The moment when the rest of the world was turned off because this was all that mattered.

Be there as long as you can because you just never know what’s going to happen when you get down from that mountain.

So how did 2022 end for me?

My radiation is done and on top of quarterly oncology visits, I will get an MRI every 6 months for years to come with the hope it hasn’t metastasized to my liver.  I don’t look at it as a burden.  I love the fact that twice a year, I will have a reminder of how precious life is and will celebrate.  It will be the constant reminder of how things can change in a minute and something I will look forward to – not dread.  It will keep me on my toes and more appreciative of those moments and make sure to actually be in them. 

Live your life, learn from the mistakes you make or the obstacles you overcome, and celebrate all those wins! Life is good!

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and blessed 2023 with many moments of hope and love,

Sandy