2008

The trappings of Christmas and 2007 are put away, and 2008 is here. What will it bring? I am reminded of that song, Que Sera Sera---what will be, will be.

Just a few days ago I found a picture of the group with whom we spent New Year's Eve 1999--fourteen of us, the women in black, the men in black tie. It was a lovely evening, full of expectation and excitement and a little apprehension. We weren't sure what would happen with computer systems or the stock market or transportation systems and how our every day lives might be affected at 12:01 a.m. 2000. As it turned out, there was no effect at all that day, but oh, my---what has happened since!

It was 2001 when the changes really began for us. First, the events of September 11 changed the world for all of us. The ripples and reverberations of that day affect us every day, and we tend to measure time and change, not with the year 2000 as we all expected, but instead with September 11, 2001.

On the positive side, and for us personally, Andrew finished college in December that year and married Tara in 2002. In 2003, Tom and I remodeled the farm house and bought a Harley, which gave birth to two new avocations for us. Elizabeth married Afonso in 2004. Brooks was born in 2006, and Alexander joined us in 2007.

So, you see, we are excited and expectant about 2008--we can't wait to see what it brings!

And Happy New Year to You All

It's a rainy day here in Dothan, and it's time to wish you a Happy New Year. We are putting away the remnants of Christmas and reflecting on our good times. We had a wonderful holiday--two fine healthy little boys and their families, lots of good times, and good food.

New to Blogging

This blogging--it is an experiment---and a new experience---for me. I chose the title from a verse in Jeremiah, 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Tom and I have two precious young grandsons, Brooks and Alexander, and at their births, I wrote each of them a letter and gifted each a crib pillow with that verse on it. It really signifies my prayer for them---that their lives will be filled with hopefulness and optimism and excitement about the future. In fact, that's my prayer for all of us.

We will see where this blog takes me. It will surely include our family; it will include some personal philosophy; it will include literature and our leisure activities; it may include something about our work; and it will include food and recipes for I love to cook. It may include the day-to-day ruminations of a mature wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, educator, and volunteer. I intend it to be hopeful with an eye toward the future.