The year is over tomorrow night. The wind blows memories across my mind. So many things have passed us by this year. We have new things happening as we go forward in time. A lot of good memories. Some bad memories, but this year, TJ and I got off pretty much unscathed. We were healthy. No cancer, no plague. That is a big deal. We thank God when we have a year like this. TJ will reach that 70 year mark, and I? That 69 mark, quite shortly following the New Year. Additionally, our 51 year anniversary of marriage is in a few weeks. I am surprised when I write those numbers onto paper. I remember thinking how old 69/70 were. The surprise comes because I still feel so young in my head. In my heart! I feel like the 16 year old girl who danced at the fair. I feel like the teenager who spelunked through the mines on South Mountain or climbed Papago Buttes in the middle of the night. Nothing about old age has diminished any of that.
Each New Year more or less runs into another one. 2024 is the same. Except for the elections, I’d say “there’s nothing to see here.” We had good events. Our grandkids, and our regular kids had some events that were special. Simone turned 30, which is a big deal. Also this birthday was a shock to my system. When I look at her I see a little angel. See what I mean?
Elektra turned 9, which is also a big deal, but different. She is smart and beautiful. She’s also a perfectionist. She is home-schooled, so we don’t have to say things to her like, your teacher likes you. (I love her) or grade cards for getting straight As. I don’t give her a grade card. She’s competing only with herself. As she finishes one grade of books, she moves to the next without fanfare. This keeps her stress levels pretty even. Sometimes… (see that face?)
Now, Nasif… Yes, I add these out of order. Sometimes my life IS out of order. Nasif turned 19, then graduated from high school! Woo hoo! He’s a great young man. He’s sweet, caring, and an all-around all-star. He’s working on getting a job with his Dad. After that, after saving some money, I am hoping he will go to college for something he wants to do. He’s out-stripped his Dad in height, who is 6’3″, by growing to around 6’4″ or a little more. I know… Crazy but true!
If you followed our blog throughout the year, you know that TJ and I released a couple of books. We traveled to Washington State, and around Arizona in our camper. We are writing a few stories at the same time. AND we had several events, as well. We have four new events lined up for 2025, already. This is exciting for us because we don’t want to lose momentum. You can find all our current stories on our book pages on our website. The links take you to Amazon. Our books are paperback, Kindle e-books, and audio! Go see if there’s anything you enjoy reading. We keep our prices as low as we can so you can enjoy them. We appreciate your readership, your reviews, and emails.
The year after I finished chemo and radiation, God gave me this scripture verse: Isaiah 43:18-19 New American Standard Bible 18 “Do not call to mind the former things, Or consider things of the past. 19 Behold, I am going to do something new, Now it will spring up; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
I love this because we live in Phoenix, in the Sonoran Desert, and because my life was going to be “something new!” HE has done that for me. At the beginning of 2024, I was told I’m 5 years past the cancer. TJ was told his heart was doing really well. We, together, are watching for those streams in the desert, those new things. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
May your New Year be blessed.
Mirror Gate Chronicles 