I Stand

Wow! Another year is gone. Where did it go? One minute we were in the midst of a new pandemic, frightened, angry, confused, then we are here with another variant bearing down on us. As I was choosing an image for this post, I turned back to some photos I took in Italy in 2020. This marble work graces the entrance to the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, also known as the Duomo, in Florence, Italy. The construction of that church was begun in the later 13th century. Yet, it stands.

Today, I still stand and that is no small thing. I have known great loss and heartbreak in my life. However, I have known amazing blessings and gifts and I do not take them for granted.

The most precious of those gifts are my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I don't get to see them as I would like. They are spread out across this country from Port Angeles, WA, to Connecticut to Colorado, to North Carolina, and Indiana. Fortunately, social media has allowed me to get a glimpse into their lives from time to time. More importantly, they are healthy and thriving and for that I am grateful.

As I type this, I am living on my own. I can attend to my own activities of daily living without help. I have a great job, working with an amazing group of nurse educators and support staff. I get the privilege of being able to share my passion for maternal-child health to a new generation of men and women. For all of that I am grateful.

In the past year, I have published two books. It was a process. My first book was written during the time when print press was the only way you could get a book out there. Now, I publish them myself and I have control over what goes in them--midwifery, beautiful places, and intriguing characters drawn from my life experiences. For that I am grateful.

I'm working on my family's genealogy. I've recently connected my DNA to the first chief of the MacDougall clan of Scotland. There's more to be done, including connecting our Stewart, Campbell, and other clans to our tree and how they connect with Scot6land. It's fun and part of my legacy for my children and their children. For that, I am grateful.

I was able to get my Covid booster recently and with the grace of the Universe, I have managed to evade that virus thus far. For that, I am grateful.

Yes, there have been changes in the past year, some I would not have chosen, but as they say "it is what it is." I've learned to let go and let G-d control my life. It's not always easy to do that, but it's easier than kicking bricks.

So, as I prepare to post this on 1/1/22, I am grateful for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon me: health, family, career, creative pursuits, and plans for the future. I am grateful. And I stand. Wishing you and yours a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year.