So, what does one say as one prepares to greet a new year?
I'm sure I have nothing different to offer than anyone else sharing their thoughts today. "I hope this new year is the best one yet!" Yeah, like that hasn't been said before.
But, perhaps, I've just had my moment of enlightenment.
I realize that I don't have much interest in the televised entertainment celebrating New Year's Eve. I'd much rather watch an "old" movie, a countdown show of the past year's most memorable events, or something honoring influential people the world has lost in the last 12 months. I want to flash back to parties of the past, remembering to be grateful for those who have had the most impact on my life.
And that could be the problem. Surely, there's nothing wrong with holding on to those treasured moments and memories. We pull them from a shoebox tucked away on a shelf (both literally and figuratively) and chuckle or sigh as we stroll down memory lane.
But the past is...well, the past. Since I don't have a TARDIS, I can't change anything that's already happened, for better or for worse. Rather, I should continually be looking forward to "tomorrow." Plan for what I can and act accordingly...and plan on being surprised by life, too.
I'm not going to say "good riddance" to 2013. Like every other year, it had its ups and downs. Good days and bad days all rolled into one fairly typical year. I'm not going to say that 2014 will be the best one ever, either. I've had some pretty awesome moments in my life that can never be matched or topped. (Besides, I don't want to "jinx" any of the good stuff most certainly headed my way.)
The past has made me who I am, and the future will make me who I am going to be. I will not allow myself to be stuck in a lifetime of yesterdays, and I will not be afraid of a lifetime of tomorrows. I will remind myself of what Doctor Who said, something along the lines of, "We're all stories in the end. Just make it a good one." My life has been a page-turner to me so far. I can always flip back and reread the best passages, but it will more fun to keep looking forward to the next chapter. But no peeking!
Wow...that seems like a bit of a rambling post. I'd better wrap up Chapter 2013, pop in a bookmark, and get ready to see what happens next in Chapter 2014.
Happy New Year, everyone, and make your story a good one!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Christmas Music
I had the bright idea to scan some of my old Christmas 45s (as in "records") and use them for my Facebook profile picture. I didn't even remember that I had a couple of these. Boy, do they bring on the nostalgic feelings!
We had certain house rules when I was growing up. If I'm not mistaken, we couldn't play Christmas music in our rooms until after Thanksgiving and not in the kitchen or living room until December 1 (or my sister's birthday a week later...can't remember which). But I imagine after that point my turntable was spinning as often as possible!
If you're old enough to have owned 45s at some point, perhaps you'll get a kick out of these. I may need to also find my full-length albums and dig out the record player...in the spirit of the season.
Enjoy whichever Christmas traditions make YOU the happiest!
We had certain house rules when I was growing up. If I'm not mistaken, we couldn't play Christmas music in our rooms until after Thanksgiving and not in the kitchen or living room until December 1 (or my sister's birthday a week later...can't remember which). But I imagine after that point my turntable was spinning as often as possible!
If you're old enough to have owned 45s at some point, perhaps you'll get a kick out of these. I may need to also find my full-length albums and dig out the record player...in the spirit of the season.
Enjoy whichever Christmas traditions make YOU the happiest!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Christmas Newsletter to Dad 2013
Hi, Daddy!
I hope it doesn't make me seem too predictable that I've written to you on the same date for the last few years. Just my little way of honoring you. It's the least I can do.
I can already tell that I probably won't have as much to say this year. Guess I feel like I'd be boring you, telling you what you already know. But you're a good dad and a patient one. Just give me a "yah, yah" and it'll be fine.
Let's see...where to begin...
Well, my "baby" graduated high school! It was a busy year, to be sure, but graduation day still seemed to sneak up on me. Seems like the first day of kindergarten wasn't all that long ago. Did you see how I displayed all of his daycare and school pictures? From birth to graduation...they grow up so fast. He sure looked spiffy in his cap and gown, didn't he? I didn't cry as much as I thought I would, but that wasn't for lack of pride and love.
Sadly (for us), you've got more company with you this year. They say you and M are golfing together. I guess I was too young to remember you golfing much. But whatever you two are up to, I know you'll have fun. I'll make one surprise run to the refrigerator for you if you'd like. ;-)
As expected, high-school graduation was followed by sending my "baby" off to college. He's four hours away, so the first visit was at Thanksgiving. Three months without seeing him, but we did just fine. And he'll be home again soon for the winter break. Thank goodness for texting and chat/email so we can stay in touch on a fairly regular basis (without me "hovering"). I don't know how you put up with me back in the day when all we had were collect calls and letters (we know how well I did with those).
That leads me to something I've learned this year. Well, maybe I learned it a long time ago, but I've finally admitted and acknowledged it to myself. Now that I'm 50 and becoming an empty-nester, I'm actually starting to understand and appreciate you and Mother more fully! Oh, there's plenty of things I'll never "get" and other things I won't agree with, but things are beginning to make sense. You'd think I'd have seen things from your perspective more when I first became a parent. But when I was a child, I had no interest in knowing what your thought process was. (That sounds terrible when I say it out loud, but you know what I mean!) But now I can imagine what you might have felt like at my graduation. I can guess what it was like when you dropped me off at college. And I can hope that you were as excited to see me when I came to visit. No, I know you were that excited, because you're my dad. We just show it in different ways. (I think we're all still trying to adjust to that concept of visiting a place that always was and always will be home.) And the reasons change, but a parent never really does stop worrying about their child, do they. We raise them the best we can, but someday we just have to let them do what they need to do. I could relate especially well to the bird that built a nest on our porch this year. (Did you have anything to do with her choosing that site?)
I guess that's all part of being a parent. Grandma and Grandpa probably didn't understand you, you perhaps didn't understand us, and there are certainly times I don't understand my"baby" college man...and vice versa. At least we can rest assured that eventually more of it starts to make sense. In fact, I even understand (at last) why you always "strongly suggested" I wear a hat and a coat long enough to cover my bottom. It really does keep me warmer. Thank you!
OK, I know it's a day "early," but I think I'll post this now before bedtime. That seems to be my usual method of writing. Just get it all out while I'm thinking of it and let it go. Otherwise I'll be endlessly tweaking it. I can always edit if something else comes to mind.
Merry Christmas, Daddy.
03/03/32 - 12/12/10
2011 Letter to Dad
2012 Letter to Dad
I hope it doesn't make me seem too predictable that I've written to you on the same date for the last few years. Just my little way of honoring you. It's the least I can do.
I can already tell that I probably won't have as much to say this year. Guess I feel like I'd be boring you, telling you what you already know. But you're a good dad and a patient one. Just give me a "yah, yah" and it'll be fine.
Let's see...where to begin...
Well, my "baby" graduated high school! It was a busy year, to be sure, but graduation day still seemed to sneak up on me. Seems like the first day of kindergarten wasn't all that long ago. Did you see how I displayed all of his daycare and school pictures? From birth to graduation...they grow up so fast. He sure looked spiffy in his cap and gown, didn't he? I didn't cry as much as I thought I would, but that wasn't for lack of pride and love.
Sadly (for us), you've got more company with you this year. They say you and M are golfing together. I guess I was too young to remember you golfing much. But whatever you two are up to, I know you'll have fun. I'll make one surprise run to the refrigerator for you if you'd like. ;-)
As expected, high-school graduation was followed by sending my "baby" off to college. He's four hours away, so the first visit was at Thanksgiving. Three months without seeing him, but we did just fine. And he'll be home again soon for the winter break. Thank goodness for texting and chat/email so we can stay in touch on a fairly regular basis (without me "hovering"). I don't know how you put up with me back in the day when all we had were collect calls and letters (we know how well I did with those).
That leads me to something I've learned this year. Well, maybe I learned it a long time ago, but I've finally admitted and acknowledged it to myself. Now that I'm 50 and becoming an empty-nester, I'm actually starting to understand and appreciate you and Mother more fully! Oh, there's plenty of things I'll never "get" and other things I won't agree with, but things are beginning to make sense. You'd think I'd have seen things from your perspective more when I first became a parent. But when I was a child, I had no interest in knowing what your thought process was. (That sounds terrible when I say it out loud, but you know what I mean!) But now I can imagine what you might have felt like at my graduation. I can guess what it was like when you dropped me off at college. And I can hope that you were as excited to see me when I came to visit. No, I know you were that excited, because you're my dad. We just show it in different ways. (I think we're all still trying to adjust to that concept of visiting a place that always was and always will be home.) And the reasons change, but a parent never really does stop worrying about their child, do they. We raise them the best we can, but someday we just have to let them do what they need to do. I could relate especially well to the bird that built a nest on our porch this year. (Did you have anything to do with her choosing that site?)
I guess that's all part of being a parent. Grandma and Grandpa probably didn't understand you, you perhaps didn't understand us, and there are certainly times I don't understand my
OK, I know it's a day "early," but I think I'll post this now before bedtime. That seems to be my usual method of writing. Just get it all out while I'm thinking of it and let it go. Otherwise I'll be endlessly tweaking it. I can always edit if something else comes to mind.
Merry Christmas, Daddy.
03/03/32 - 12/12/10
2011 Letter to Dad
2012 Letter to Dad
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Three Peas in a Pod
I had breakfast with the girls the other day. Getting together with them is always such a rejuvenating experience! Gee, a decade ago we'd get together for margaritas, not coffee and eggs. Even then, though, the important element was not the food, beverage, location, or time of day; it was, and always will be, the company we keep.
Now, I realize I've already written about these amazing women several times recently (see "Staunch Women" and "Rescue Me"). But the power of feminine relationships is worthy of frequent discussion.
I've gotten to thinking about how well we complement each other. I envision some sort of girlfriend Venn diagram when I consider what we have in common and how our lives differ. As I look closer, I'm also reminded of the type of logic puzzle where you're sometimes provided with a chart to solve something like which brother lives in which color house, works at what trade, is married to which woman, and the age of each.
When it comes to the three of us...
Two have two children each; one has an only child.
We all got married in the same year.
Two families had children in public schools; the other family's children started in private school.
We've each lost one parent; different times, different circumstances, but the same type of pain.
Two have primarily blue-collar spouses; one has a husband that's considered white-collar.
When the three of us came together, two were employed outside the home; one worked primarily from a home office.
We weren't born in the same calendar year but within the same 12-month period.
Two met in college; these two met the third by working with her husband.
The one with the oldest child is the youngest of the three; she also has the youngest child (and the only daughter).
We disagree on some usage guidelines, but we all appreciate the importance of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
We've each had our share of significant events in our lives.
Two live within just a few miles of each other; the third lives "all the way" across the river on the other side of town.
We each have a terribly dry sense of humor.
One is an oenophile; the other two are happy to drink whichever wine she offers.
Each of us has good ideas; those ideas are greatly improved with input from the others.
We freely offer compliments and reassurance to each other; we also freely offer honest opinions even if it's not want we want to hear.
None of us are originally from Green Bay. How blessed we are, though, to have met each other here!
I have gained an appreciation of the friendships my mom has enjoyed over the years. Now I understand why she'd "go for coffee" with the neighbor lady. It's difficult to describe how well we mesh, unless you are also fortunate enough to have this kind of relationship in your own life. We became friends in the usual random way. We are still friends because of and in spite of both what we have in common and how we're each unique individuals.
We're approaching 15 years of being "together." We must be doing something right, wouldn't you say?
Now, I realize I've already written about these amazing women several times recently (see "Staunch Women" and "Rescue Me"). But the power of feminine relationships is worthy of frequent discussion.
I've gotten to thinking about how well we complement each other. I envision some sort of girlfriend Venn diagram when I consider what we have in common and how our lives differ. As I look closer, I'm also reminded of the type of logic puzzle where you're sometimes provided with a chart to solve something like which brother lives in which color house, works at what trade, is married to which woman, and the age of each.
When it comes to the three of us...
Two have two children each; one has an only child.
We all got married in the same year.
Two families had children in public schools; the other family's children started in private school.
We've each lost one parent; different times, different circumstances, but the same type of pain.
Two have primarily blue-collar spouses; one has a husband that's considered white-collar.
When the three of us came together, two were employed outside the home; one worked primarily from a home office.
We weren't born in the same calendar year but within the same 12-month period.
Two met in college; these two met the third by working with her husband.
The one with the oldest child is the youngest of the three; she also has the youngest child (and the only daughter).
We disagree on some usage guidelines, but we all appreciate the importance of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
We've each had our share of significant events in our lives.
Two live within just a few miles of each other; the third lives "all the way" across the river on the other side of town.
We each have a terribly dry sense of humor.
One is an oenophile; the other two are happy to drink whichever wine she offers.
Each of us has good ideas; those ideas are greatly improved with input from the others.
We freely offer compliments and reassurance to each other; we also freely offer honest opinions even if it's not want we want to hear.
None of us are originally from Green Bay. How blessed we are, though, to have met each other here!
I have gained an appreciation of the friendships my mom has enjoyed over the years. Now I understand why she'd "go for coffee" with the neighbor lady. It's difficult to describe how well we mesh, unless you are also fortunate enough to have this kind of relationship in your own life. We became friends in the usual random way. We are still friends because of and in spite of both what we have in common and how we're each unique individuals.
We're approaching 15 years of being "together." We must be doing something right, wouldn't you say?
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