A NEW YEAR

I am sitting here with my Mom this morning and she is sleeping so peacefully. I am reflecting on all that happened in 2010, the happiness, the sadness, the surprises and the disappointments. It seems that there was quite a bit of each. Little did we know as we rang in 2010 the things that were in store for us this past year.

As I recall the first five months were filled with fun and celebrations: Paul and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary with a SURPRISE party and a cruise, Suzannah turned 19 and we celebrated Mom's 80th birthday in March.

I often reflect on the last 7 months since her stroke and think WOW, it doesn't seem that long since she had her stroke and other times it seems like a lifetime ago. So many things have changed since that fateful day, May 29th, not only was it my oldest sister's birthday, but the day that changed my life forever.

So many things have changed since then, my Mom, always independent and self-sufficient, is now dependent and in need of assistance. As I have said in previous blogs, not only is the person that suffers the physical catastrophe of a stroke affected, but the family is as well. Our family will never be the same again in many different ways, some good, some bad and some just unexplainable.

So many things are the same, my Mom is still the precious, gracious, appreciative, selfless, loving and wonderful mother of my childhood, she still loves her family more than anything and wants the best for each of us as she has from the beginning of our lives. She has always thought of and put us before herself. She is the highlight of my day and I am blessed to be her daughter. I can only hope that my daughter will love me 1/2 as much as I love my Mom, if so, I will be so thankful and blessed.

So I guess that 2010 taught me first hand that your life can be changed in a second and that there is no way that I could have survived the trials of this past year if I had not had faith in my Lord and the confidence that He will take care of me no matter the circumstance.

As I enter 2011, I will continue to be By My Mother's Side no matter what comes our way because it is a privilege and an honor to be there for her, just as she has always been there for me.
"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children" Proverbs 17:6

"My God shall supply shall supply all our needs, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19