Happy Holiday’s!! A few days (um…weeks) late…but hey better late than never. The Holiday’s actually didn’t really feel like the holiday’s this year, they were just another day that passed by. So many families were not spending them as they normally do, and some found that relaxing and others probably found it lonely. I did my customary Christmas Eve with my immediate family (mom/dad, brother and his family), then I picked up some hours at work on Christmas Day since they were understaffed. New Year’s was my holiday to work this year, so I spent it at work also — or sleeping to prepare to go to work. It was nice to be low key this year, and just be.
This year was a lot different for me, I usually try to get some trips in and explore this magnificent world we live in. I spent a lot of time exploring St Louis outdoors and the surrounding state/national parks within driving distance. I did take a small trip to Gulfport, MS, with some friends the end of June (I was originally supposed to be in Haiti). We rented a small AirBNB by the beach and enjoyed some quiet time. It was a nice break from the crazy the world turned into in March.
I celebrated my one year anniversary in my new place on December 28. Nothing spectacular happened, me and the mongrels (my cats) had a quiet night at home. But also on that day I received my first dose of vaccine for COVID19. There are many opinions, speculations, and questions concerning the vaccine. For me personally it was based on my health (I have MS and my doctor suggested that before I do my next round of medication for the MS that I be vaccinated so that when my immune system depletes I will have some protection against the virus), and also as a nurse who has dealt with the aftermath of the virus since March it was a choice for the people that I help and their families.
I lost my sounding board and the one I went to with medical questions and connections. In March my friend, John Christy (Doc), passed away from lung cancer. We celebrated his life on his birthday, October 10. It was during the height of the pandemic that he passed away and they were not allowing people to gather together. By waiting we were able to honor him in the best way — outdoors and with friends and family.
And that pretty much sums up my 2020. Though I did get braces in June, that was about the only other exciting thing that happened. It’s been a journey in itself, trying to eat with them has been interesting. The one bonus of wearing a mask 24/7 is that no one sees them, or the fact that I more than likely have food stuck in them if I have just eaten. It’s a battle.
Every year I pick a word to focus on (well I started in 2019) and every year the world seems to see what I am made of. Maybe I will just not focus this year and just be. LOL. In 2019 my word was ‘intentional’. I wanted to be intentional in my life — and the first four months of the year tested every aspect of that endeavor. In 2020, I had great aspirations to look at life and know that ‘it is well’. I never fathomed that starting in March the world would change and my life as a nurse and as restaurant explorer would never be the same…though I had to stand back and take a deep breath and just keep saying ‘it is well’. It has been an interesting year to say the least, but I’m still standing…and it is well.
This year, my word is going to be ‘conquer’. Conquer is defined as: ‘to overcome and take control’, ‘successfully overcome <a problem or weakness>’, ‘to gain admiration or respect’. The first of December I decided that it was time to start focusing on my health. I have always been overweight, I was the fat kid growing up…and I briefly outgrew it when I grew taller instead of wider, but unfortunately nursing school stress and night shift got the better of me. I have made some progress over the past four weeks, but this year my health is something I want to conquer. I have health issues that I cannot ‘fix’ (MS), but there are some I can by being mindful of what I feed my body — nutritionally and emotionally. Our mental state can affect all aspects of our life, and that is something I want to be more mindful of, and to “successfully overcome” is negative talk. And my relationship with God is another aspect of my life that needs some conquering…to be more mindful of prayer and reading my Bible. So many weaknesses that need some adjustments. But it’s a new year…and hopefully I come out of it a better me — mind, body, and soul.
I hope that this finds you all well and prospering in all aspects of your life. I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season. My favorite scripture is found in Lamentations 3:22-24, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is they faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, smith my soul; therefore will I hope in him”. May His faithfulness and mercies follow you through 2021.
Until later
ERM