Enter 2010, Thank God!

Happy New Year and Hallelujah! It was with great pleasure I threw away the 2009 calendars.

Last year was so sucky, I couldn’t wait to get rid of it. We were all affected by the economic climate, the lousy weather (all last spring and summer), and the political climate of lying, back biting, Senatorial hostage taking (I’ll vote for this bill if my state can get this mega financial perk). Frankly I’m sick of the whole thing!

On top of all of that, last year started out with my mother back in the hospital, facing a 4th major surgery in 3 months. The year progressed with her going back to the nursing home to recoup. She was released on March 31st and right back in on April 2nd. This time there was no coming home. Her health status has put a lot of pressure on me.

After a terrible spring and summer, weather-wise, I had to get the house ready to sell. The sorting and tossing and giving of my mother’s possessions was very difficult. Making the house presentable and attractive for prospective buyers took a lot of energy and I can’t thank my 4 kids enough for all the help they gave me.

Now the house is for sale and there is tension every time someone looks at it. Everything has to be pristine which means I have to go through the house room by room putting away all those little things I use every day, and making sure the trash is taken out and I leave the house, too.

That is a lot of pressure for me. Someone else might think nothing of it.

However, as bad as all that was (for me) it also had an up side. The entire year forced me to deal with things I had no control over. I learned (by dealing with my mother's issues) what it's like to be really old—she's 97. I learned how to relax and have patience. I am not a patient person by nature, but I learned. And I continue to learn.

I know that I have always had what I needed, and not a second sooner than I needed it. I know I don’t have to worry about selling the house or finding the perfect condo. It will all happen on schedule and all I have to do is stay out of the way.

As bad as 2009 was, it was a teaching year. It taught me (again) to accept that which I cannot change and have patience. I seem to be a slow learner! ☺☺☺