Christmas Time

Merry Christmas to all! Hope you are all healthy and had a wonderful christmas experience. We have been blessed in so many ways. We were able to get together with my mom, brothers and sisters and their families at Karen's new house. Then again yesterday at our house, Mom, her sisters and their families, Maw-maw, Mrs. Linda G., Todd, Christi and my family were all together again. It was so enjoyable, so nice to visit with everyone.

With Mom's decline in healthy - our families and friends have a different prospective on holiday time. It is a time to be truly be together , to make happy memories, no need for fussing and petty things, etc... Mom is so strong and such a role model for so many. She has been sick since the day after Thanksgiving and has not been able to bounce back. She has also stopped taking chemo. We will be talking to the doctors soon about other options. Some days-hours-minutes or better than others; but overall she is coping well. If you get a chance, drop her a line to say hello. She might not talk and sometimes does not want visitors or just sleeps; but appreciates the continued prayers and support.

As for the family, we are doing well and are leaning on each others. I can definitely say some moments are harder than others; but we take it one day at a time and make every moment count. Do you ever remember your parents telling you that they want more for you than they had/received? Well, I hope I can give my children what my parents have given to me. I want to be like them - so loved, so respected, so giving, always knows the right things to say and do. My parents truly are the greatest and I thank God everyday for him to give me such great parents and such a great friend as my Mom.

This year's new years resolution setting had almost been forgotten about with our father dying 24 years ago in December, Mom being so sick, kids, school, work, etc...all in this month... December 2008 has been quite difficult. As I sit (at work) and think about the new beginnings that come with each traditional New Year's... I find myself wondering why we only celebrate the new year when we have 12 chances each year to start anew or even better "Each Day is A New Day". Why can't tomorrow really be a new day instead of a repeat of yesterdays past.

After reflecting on my past year and especially this month, my 2009 resolutions are easily set and will be far more difficult to reach than the traditional lose weight and be a better person ones as in the past.
(1) I will work to be 1/2 as good of a parent to my children as my parents are to me.
(2) I will treat each day as a new beginning.
(3) I will take time out of my daily duties to stop and enjoy the people and things around me.

I know I have ramble, but my thoughts needed to come out. I should read this, but am going to post without editing. No sympathy needed as I JUST realized I am one of the luckiest people alive as I have been blessed with so much. Sometimes we get stuck thinking of all the things that we don't have - that we forget to be thankful for we have.

I love all of you!
Kim