Checking in for 2025 . . .

“How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!” — Thomas Wentworth Higginson

“Snow isn’t just pretty. It also cleanses our world and our senses.”— John Burnside

“The first snow brings with it the promise of quiet, rest, and renewal.” — John Burnside

Checking in for 2025 . . .

Just want to report in for this year so some of you will know I am still out here, trudging through the challenges that Life sends our way. Let me lead with the fact that I am glad to be on this old orb as we rotate through another year. I was sick with the flu. Don’t know which kind, just rested and plied myself with tons of fruit, fruit juices and soups. Made an oath to resume my vitamins as I had lapsed during the holiday season, just passing by the bottles, ignoring what might have mitigated my stay in the land of counterpane. Add to that a crown that fell out and a snowstorm (rare here in the Deep South) and it makes for a daunting time.

BUT I want you to know that even with all that I remain grateful, as I hope many of you do, for the things and people that have remained with me through the winter trials:

►I still have a roof over my head as I think of many in California, and all the other states too, that have lost their shelter.

►I can still take care of myself, by cooking and washing clothes, etc. So far so good.

►I kept power through the snowstorm and thus was warm, which was a blessing

►I knew that my family and good friends were safe as well as we kept in touch (always an important thing to do)

►I am blessed with great neighbors who offered to bring food if needed or get my mail or help with any task that I might need assistance with

►I still prayed, asking for all who needed help and strength and to feel God’s influence in their lives

►And I had my sweet Russian Blue cat that stayed with me and slept in my lap much of the time, so I knew that I was not alone.

There is nothing like witnessing disasters, or the threat of losing your power, heat and ability to get in your car and go somewhere if you choose.

There is nothing like the silent snowfall that brings a quiet that gives one time to ponder all that should be important.

There is nothing like a bit of isolation to make one welcome our friends and loved ones when the snows melt.

Nothing.

I guess that’s why God factored in an occasional storm or two in our lives—so that we would pause, remember how fortunate we are, and feel His hand in our lives. It is both scary and uplifting at the same time.

I hope you all fared wonderfully through the holidays and that you will continue, along with me, to ponder the really important things in Life.