Coming to the end of a year and decade brings out my introspective side. In the last few days, I’ve been thinking about all the wonderful and life-changing things that have happened to me. This bubbled over into a list. So today, I will share these amazing events.
- First place goes to all my family-related events, including my marriage and the birth of my children and grandchildren. I’ve been beyond blessed in this department over many decades and I’m very grateful.
- Hearing the message when I was in a coma at 14 years old, “You need to go back. You have more to do.” These words will always remind me of how important each person is in this life and not to give up.
- When I swam with a sea turtle and my youngest daughter this year in Kauai. It reminded me to always look for miracles.
- Surviving being sick in bed for six months and recovering. It was a scary time filled with many doctors and a lot of uncertainty. Even if I never know what got me to that point, I know faith propelled me forward each baby step at a time. I had to learn to trust myself, and if I need to do it again—I will.
- When my family and I moved from where I grew up to go live in the forest. I often wonder if I would be the person I am today if I hadn’t taken a chance leaving all the familiar behind. Would I have finished college, started writing, or taken the inner journey I have? Doubtful.
- Breaking my foot ended up being lucky. Over 20 years ago, I sent my work out to publishers with one article published in a magazine. I had a lot of nice rejections and encouragement but eventually stopped sending. Finally, almost five years ago, I self-published right after I broke that foot. It took that nudge to do it, but I’m glad I took a chance on myself.
- I received an AA in English in my late 40s, along with a liberal arts degree, both with honors, while juggling a family, health issues, and long distant caretaking. I’m still contemplating getting a BA via the internet this time, but I’m not compelled to do so right now. My take of this was never giving up on your dreams. No time will be the perfect time to get what you desire.
- My husband and I accidentally attended mass while sightseeing in Florence, Italy, on a once in a lifetime trip. This event reignited my faith in things that are meant to be, will be. That part of me had taken a beating. A bonus was it was in English and I felt the presence of a recently deceased relative sitting next to me. It gave me the peace I had been searching for.
- I saw an angel in my hall reflected on a door right before dark times. Even though I didn’t connect it then, I now know that there is always light to guide us out of any darkness—if we look for it.
- When I flew in a water plane on a trip to Alaska. This is something that I always wanted to do for as long as I can remember. My inner child woke up and had a huge smile. I imagine myself flying onto a lake to get to that private log cabin. You never know what the future holds but fulfilling some of these items on the so-called bucket list may achieve them in ways one can’t imagine. Will I end up in Alaska flying water planes? Who knows… and isn’t that great? Always dream.
I’m sure I will think of more, but you get the idea of things that helped shape into the person I am right now. We’ve all had our life-changing moments and events that have made us into what we are. I hope that this new decade brings us all a lot of new memories full of joy and some positive change.
Pictures: Florence, swimming with the turtle, and standing outside the water plane on the water with my husband.
UPDATES:
1. Next week is holiday pictures of Nevada City or the final blog of the year and decade! I will be shutting off the comments for this post.
2. I’ll be sending out the Monthly Newsletter early due to the holidays. Watch for it in your email if subscribed on December 18th.
3. “Books That Changed Me–2019 Winter Edition” will post early, too on December 18th.
4. I will be back here on January 12, 2020, but I’ll still keep in contact on social media.
5. WordPress has taken upon itself to keep removing email notifications on blogs I follow. I really depend on these notices to keep me informed and updated. So, if I’ve missed some of your blogs I apologize and it’s not intentional! I will go through my list again and re-add the emails.
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Embrace your inner child by enveloping those special moments in life. D. L. Finn
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, Dear Denise and Family… A lovely post!
Thank you, Billy:) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours, too!
A wonderful list, Denise. You are blessed indeed. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thanks, John. I am very blessed:) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well!
A lovely introspective post Denise…life has been kind to you. Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays and have a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks, Balroop. I agree life has been kind. Happy Holidays to you, too!
Denise, I enjoyed reading your list. I had no idea you had been through those health issues. And it gave me chills (good chills) to read #2, 8, and 9. I am a person of faith. At this writing, I’m facing issues with my right eye, but I am determined with God’s help to get through it and not let it defeat me.
Reading this reminds me that I should go back and reflect on all that has happened in my life the last decade.
I’m glad this gave you chills in a good way, Joan:) Sometimes, I need to stop and reflect on the important gifts in life and remember all I’ve been blessed with. I know you can get through anything with God by your side. I will keep you in my prayers, too. May your holidays be blessed.
Thank you, Denise and the same for you.
What a wonderful list, Denise. It prompted me to think of my own list–the struggles, the sorrows, the joys– and see the gift in both the unlikely situation and the truly blessed situation. Big hugs, my dear friend.
It was eye opening for me to make this list. I saw so clearly all my blessings even in the toughest of situations. I’ve been very blessed. Thanks, Gwen sending hugs right back to you xo
Beautiful post. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Mary. Merry Christmas!
You are welcome!
What a beautiful post, Denise. And I am so glad you stepped into that church in Italy and felt a reawakening of something that had been lacking. I’m a person of faith as well, and I can look back over my life and see God’s hand at play, even at the harder times.
Merry Christmas, my friend!
Thank you, Mae. I can still see the sun shinning through the stain glass windows onto the hardwood bench as clearly as the day I was there. To feel my father in laws presence was simply amazing and I just thought of another thing to add to my list:) The time we saw my mother talking to him right before she died. So much love around us! Merry Christmas xo
It is such a wonderful exercise to do, Denise, to look back and really see and appreciate our blessings! Thank you for sharing yours with us! And you’re right… Never stop dreaming! Hugs and Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Jan. I’ve never made a list like this before, but it was whirling around my head needing to be written down. It seems so clear now what the blessings were, although at the time it didn’t. We can never stop believing in our dreams they always carry us foward. Hugs and a Merry Christmas to you, too xo!
What an amazing and wonderful list, Denise. I’ve never put a list together like that. I am inspired.
Thank you, Jacqui:) I’ve never done a list like this before either. It was eye opening to me!
This is a lovely and inspiring post, Denise. I loved your pictures too. Have a wonderful Christmas and all the very best for 2020.
Thank you, Robbie:) It was just what I needed right now to reflect. I hope the very same for you this Christmas and into the new year and decade! Xo
This post is powerful, my friend. Thank you for sharing your reflections of the journey that is ever continuing. Save me a seat on that seaplane in Alaska. I wish you and yours a joyous and memorable Christmas. Hugs.
Thanks, Soooz:) You can help me pilot the plane and we will land at the perfect writers retreat! I wish the very same for you, Merry Christmas and the happiest of new years with lots of hugs sent back! Xo
I loved your list, Denise. You’ve shared some things that I’ve done, and a whole lot I haven’t, but I can feel how important they were in shaping your life and faith, even the things that at the time, seemed negative. That recognition that life is a journey is one of the keys to happiness. Enjoy. <3
Thank you, Diana:) This list did put into perspective just how things really were. It’s hard to see in the monent, but I’m so grateful for each event I’ve been through. Happy Holidays xo.
A great list, Denise! It really makes one reflect on past events and the signs we can see if we are open to seeing them. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Thanks, Julie:) Yes, I agree we have to be open to seeing them. Happy Holidays to you and yours, too xo!