Patty Craig: A Slice of Time

Wed, 01/02/2019 - 9:39am — Diane Dyer

The end of a year is a marker of sorts, and it's a great time to take stock or to reflect. As Margaret J. Wheatley said, “Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/reflection). Reflection can help us identify what’s important.

Because I wondered what others thought was memorable about 2018, I questioned friends and family about their experiences. I asked, “At the end of a year, I typically reflect for a bit. So, after reflection, what happened in 2018 that was memorable for you? (Example: This past year was a year of home repairs and watching my children and grandchildren work and reach milestones in their lives.).” Their responses were:

Our big move to Fishers. It was hard mentally, physically, emotionally and somewhat financially. We left the area our children grew up in, a beautiful home that we built and friends we’d known for over 30 years and extended family that it will now be more difficult to see. Would I do it again? Absolutely. To be able to see our son and his family anytime we can work it out, to attend those sporting events that we so enjoy, and sometimes don’t understand, and to make it easier for our Colorado son and his family to get to us was so worth it. I still will have to make an effort to make new friends, and we’ll see how that goes; but, thankfully, I still have my husband.

The house remodel and of course, losing my unborn grandsons.

I made the cheer team!

This is the year my baby girl got glasses and also the first year that HER Christmas experience really brought the spirit of Christmases past back to my brothers and me. What joy those memories hold. And what a blessing it is to relive them through her.

One of mine is seeing how smart my son is and how much he is learning in school.

A very trying year, but God has carried me through.

Well, losing two babies was at the top of the list for me as far as the happenings of 2018. The remodeling was a beast all in itself, but the babies will be what I reflect on the most. Losing my aunt would be another.

The past year was multiple deaths of family and friends and illness and surgeries. I’m hoping next year will bring some happiness, enjoyment of small pleasures and peace to several I know.

I started my first semester of teaching on my own, my stepmom had thyroid cancer, and it was the first year I could leave the kids home alone for short periods of time.

This year was the hardest year in my job that I can remember, a great time with my sisters on vacation, my mom finally matching us, more time and fun at the cabin last winter and this summer than we’ve ever had, and as always, more blessings that I deserve.

Two things: I have realized that I am growing older and with that come other things that I noticed in my own mother – change. It is now my turn to face what comes to us all: another phase of life, like getting your driver’s license or graduating from high school, all the things that caused me to wish my life away. Now in the last phase, I wish I could slow down. Others my age have passed; is tomorrow my turn to go? Tomorrow is not promised. I am trying a new way of thinking: live in the moment and pay attention to the things around me now. We will see how well that goes. Second, I struggle every day to understand the hate in the world merely because a person looks different, and that truth is not the truth. And the rule of law is only for people who have no power.

2018 helped me realize what amazing friends I have. The encouragement I received personally and as I started up a couple of small businesses was more than I could imagine. Being back in the salon has been great. It’s something that I’ve always loved and have missed. Garden Mama’s Goodies lets me share my love of gardening, canning ad cooking with others. Every day of the year I’m amazed by my children. God blessed me richly when he gave me them to love. God is good, all the time.

2018 was very busy. I was promoted to Team Lead at work. Our daughter grew about three inches in eight months, and she’s almost as tall as her mother.

Marcus Tullius Cicero said. “It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgement” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/reflection). According to Cicero, reflection is an important activity. After reflecting on 2018, I am most thankful for God’s protection of my family and me.

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