Backward Glance...

As I look back over 2006…I realize how anxious I am to see it become a part of the distant past. This year…as a whole…has been one of the worst on record, for us. Notice that I said “one” of the worst…there were a couple even worse than this. Unfortunately, that doesn’t negate the ‘hideosity’ (I made that up) of this one. Following is a list of just a few of the ‘low lights’ of the year…however, it is in no way an ‘all inclusive’ list;

-Shane’s car was robbed (twice)

-Shane’s home was robbed (quite thoroughly)

-Our truck was robbed

-I spent a night in hospital…and narrowly avoided surgery

-Shane had another hernia repair, and a recurrence of an old heart problem

-Marvin’s job was eliminated…he was unemployed for 11 weeks

-My job was…ended…and I was unemployed for 8 weeks

-We both found new jobs…finally…unfortunately…each of us took a sizable cut in pay

-The homes of both of our kids were damaged by baseball sized hailstones

-Shane was privileged to pay to have his entire house replumbed…after the cable guy broke a pipe…which led to further problems

-Chas discovered that putting starch down her disposal…in mass quantities…is a bad idea

-Marvin discovered that just because the plumbing ‘snake’ isn’t coming out where you think it should…doesn’t mean it isn’t coming out anywhere

-Three weeks before Christmas…we had an $800.00 repair bill on the truck…after making the observation that “we haven’t had a large, unexpected expense in a while” (I won’t say that again)

-I tried off and on for the majority of the year…to have some much needed dental work completed…and due to both stints of unemployment…the inability of the dentist to deaden my mouth (a family trait)…and now, the uncontrollable panic that wells up in me at the thought of going back to the dentist…I have yet to be able to finish it

-Marvin’s mom was rushed to hospital at least twice this year…once for a fall…once for heart irregularities

-My step dad has been at the very brink of death’s door…a couple of times this year…and it looks as though he is headed back that way again

-My step mom…is dying…inch by inch…while we watch…unable to do anything to help her

I realize that in the overall scheme of the world…even this partial list…probably seems petty. To us…it has been miserable.

Many of the things on this list have been resolved…many have not. We have been sustained throughout all of this, by the Grace of God, the prayers of friends…and especially… the love that we share as a family (which I thank God for). The countless times that we have comforted each other…laughed together…cried together…helped each other…prayed for each other…and supported each other…have brought us through the valleys.

It is my fervent hope and prayer…that the coming year…will be a bright one…full of hope, love, laughter, prosperity, good health, and happiness...not just for us...but for everyone!

Take time...to laugh, love, and live!