Here we are, starting another new year. It seems, the older I get, the faster time goes. I remember being a kid and thinking, “I’ll never be old enough to _________ ” (shave my legs, wear make up, color my hair, date, drive, get a job, get my own place, etc..).

I graduated high school in the days of big permed hair, shoulder pads and leg warmers; and here I am, 50 years old, in 2016. If I could go back and do things differently, I would have been more appreciative of my parents efforts to care for all of us, physically, emotionally and financially. (They had 6 children and raised 3 more).

I would be kinder, instead of speaking without thinking or lashing out in anger or fear. I would have studied harder in school and spent more time with my parents and less time with my boyfriend. Both my Mom and Dad are gone now and I can only hope to see them again one day. There isn’t anything I can do about the past, so moving forward, I vow to listen and think before I speak, forgive more, judge less, be kinder to everyone, for we are all fighting some invisible demon, look for the blessing, be more appreciative and slow down and enjoy life more.

This week, I have 2 funerals to attend and it has given me pause. We don’t know when our time is up, so I’m going to work on being more prepared for when that time comes. I’m a work in progress. Happy New Year Everyone!