I’m 71, okay? My new nurse opined that I don’t look anywhere near that, more like 50-something, so I’m wondering about her eyesight. Just kidding. Her vision is fine. Mine, though, is not.
My physical vision stinks, but my vision toward my future is much, much better.
I used to be a stickler for tradition. Follow all the “rules” for a happy new year and everything should fall into place. Sure, that happened.
I promised all the usual stuff – losing weight, saving money, etc. I would lose a few pounds, then spend money on treating myself. Which, of course, led to guilt and from there we got to chocolate. And pounds.
I stopped making resolutions decades ago. I broke promises to family, friends, and myself, so why waste the time? Turns out, I was looking in the wrong direction. Vision problems, you know?
It was all me, me, me. It should have been just the opposite.
How do people feel when they come into my home? Welcome? Do they feel that they are heard, that they can trust me? And when they leave, is their heart a little lighter? Do they know that love lives here?
It does, now. Anyone who takes precious time out of their day to spend a few minutes in my kitchen will have my attention and a listening ear. I don’t always remember to offer a refreshment of some sort, so maybe I should resolve to work on that. All I know is, I want folks to feel happy here, and I hope they will want to come back.
I know many young people aren’t thinking of their family history now, but I know that I wish with all my heart that Mom had left us girls a history of her life. Oh, she said a few things over the years, but we basically have nothing. That changes with me. I resolved to write a memoir for our sons about their dad, and I did. Our youngest found it helpful and he’s thankful for it.
I’ve started several memoir-type books for the grandkids about the family, but they’re scattered around the house. Maybe this year I can pull something together in time for Christmas. (See how I am giving myself time to do that? And I’ll need it.)
Resolutions are different now. They’re more beautiful that way. Make people happy when they’ve spent time with you. If I can do something for someone and be anonymous, I will do that.
Yes, those are good resolutions. No, I’m not even entertaining the thought of losing weight, although I wouldn’t cry if it happened. I would mention eating more nutritious food, but if you saw my fridge and freezer right now, you’d be laughing your face off. Maybe next month. Oooh, that’s Valentine’s month. Never mind.
As I look at the photo of father and son studying an atlas, I remember thinking how our youngest was off on the next stage of his journey. He would be hours away, again, but for that moment he was here. In our kitchen. And I know he felt our love sending him on his way.
Resolutions? Please make sure they include love. Those are the ones that come true.
