Here I am, once again closing out a year and waiting anxiously for the new year,. So many changes have taken place in my life this past year that I am a little bit nervous to see what 2015 has in store for me. I pray that it will be a good year for me, my family and my friends.
Christmas came and went with such speed that it left me dizzy. It never ceases to amaze me that December 1st comes and the parties start and the shopping starts and the Christmas Card picture is made and the cards sent, and the Cline Party takes place and Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at First Baptist church is held and then a night at Kim's with Christmas morning breakfast, presents and fun and then just like a click of the finger it is all over. I do have to say that I enjoyed everything. I went to five parties and several luncheons that were all just delightful. My children kid me that I am a "party doll" and maybe I am, but I do enjoy a fun party - even Dirty Santa games that seem to be the big thing for every gathering now. My East High people that met for a big luncheon and party on the 11th of December just loves Dirty Santa, but we call it Fun Santa because it is so much fun. Their favorite gift to bring is a toy dog, cat or Santa that you wind up and it dances and sings. At the end of the party all of these toys are wound up, placed in the center of the room and let loose to "do their thing". It is just hilarious and for a bunch of 80 year old people a bit ridiculous. My Bible Class Party at Margit Prosser's restaurant was really a great event. The tables were elaborately decorated and the food was outstanding. The gifts for that party were expensive and lovely. I stole Nila's gift and got to keep it. I love red birds and the gift was two redbirds sitting on a limb of a tree with some greenery around them. My intention was to take away the greenery and display them all year, but Nita has packed them in with her Christmas decorations so I will have to wait a year to see them again.
I have been occupied recently with the health of my friend, Paul Kemp. He, being a diabetic, has a wound on his left foot that will not heal. He also has no blood circulating in his left leg. We have been to numerous doctors and the bottom line is that he will go to a cardiologist this week for a check up and verification that his heart will be okay to have surgery. After that a vascular surgeon will perform surgery to try to get blood flowing to his foot. We are parying that the surgery will be successful and that no further surgery will be necessary. He is quite anxious, as I am, that all will go well.
As for my health today, I have to admit that I am writing this blog but unable to read what I have written. My eyesight has worsened in the past few months. I am very sad about it and very handicapped because of it. In fact, I am going to resign some of my responsibilities that include computer work - letter writing, etc. I never entertained a thought that I would have an eyesight problem in my life. Reading has always been my passion and now I have to listen to tapes for my books. That is okay but does not even come close to holding a book and turning the pages. It is another change that I am having to learn to live with along with the oxygen. I guess I sound like "poor me" but I don't mean that. I have excellent care here with Nita and Ray and Sara helps me with going to the grocery or other places I want to go. Nita cooks, does my laundry, and anything else that I might need so moving here was a good decision and I am very happy here.
When we had our Cline Party on the 23rd and I got to see 15 of my great grandchildren I was so delighted. They are so beautiful and so intelligent and so kind and considerate to each other that I was very proud. They played their games and listened to me when I gathered them in a circle to talk about Jesus as a real little boy. I knew that they all knew the story of His birth and his death and resurrection but I wanted them to picture him as a child, much like their selves, that had to learn life skills from a mother, much like theirs, and I think that maybe they got the picture. Next yea I will try to tell a story from a book because I do believe they enjoy that more. I had started reading "The Red Bird at Christmas" to tell them but I couldn't read the book and couldn't find a tape so I had to improvise at the last minute. I will start earlier next year. It is quite a disappointing to plan to read something, buy the book, start it with plans to act on it and then have to give it up because I couldn't read the words. As I think about that I also need to say that I am learning to listen more, to enjoy other things, ti pray or rather talk to God more and tell him how I feel about things and actually, not being able to see as well or read as much has given me an appreciation for many things that I have been ignoring for many years. We have all heard that "God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to behold" and that is true. His plan for my life is moving in a new direction and whatever it may be I will try to follow directions because God is good - all the time.
Happy New Year to everybody that may read this blog. I hope you have a wonderful year and receive many blessings from our Lord.
