It is never too late to look back

By Theresa Blume

Featured Columnist

Time Magazine listed its 100 most influential people of the year in this week’s publication. My favorite TV chef, Ina Garten, was selected, confirming that I have been watching the right cooking show all this time even though my husband just rolls his eyes when I turn it on.

That got me thinking, what would be on my top 10 list? I got out my journals and took a trip from January through December of 2014.

Here are a few of my favorite or most memorable moments from last year.

1. In January I was babysitting my 2-month-old granddaughter. She has influenced my life immensely. Having fibromyalgia, it is hard to get out of bed some days. Because of her I am moving, getting outside, walking, and happy, not thinking about how bad I feel. Love really does conquer all.
2. Purchasing a laptop changed my life because I was having so much pain sitting at my regular computer that I stopped writing. Now I work in an easy chair without my aching back distracting my thoughts.
3. Moving to Marshfield immediately saved gas money and transportation time, giving my husband easier access to work. I was now closer to doctors and stores, giving me confidence to drive again. We became renters instead of home owners and simplified our lifestyle.
4. Ending a personal business was difficult because my customers were my friends, and it was my identity, but it is true that when one door closes, another one opens.
5. As a wife and grandmother and daughter, it is easy to forget who I really am, but writing a weekly column for others has inspired me to clarify my own self-esteem and worth.
6. My oldest son married the love of his life in June. I not only gained a beautiful daughter-in-law but also inherited two precious grandchildren from his new wife.
7. My husband’s birth sister visited us from Texas, which was the first time we had met in person. It was a joy to see what a wonderful person she is, and now we have memories on which to look back and a future about which to dream.
8. Watching Ronnie Millsap at the Marshfield Fair was amazing. Since he is one of my all-time favorite singers, I am thrilled to be able to say I saw him in person.
9. Eating Thanksgiving at my son’s house created a new tradition because for the first time in history I did not cook the entire dinner. I finally got to rest.
10. In December we said goodbye to our daughter’s beloved dog after many years. There is an empty space in our hearts with his death, but his spirit will remain to remind us of the best parts of ourselves.

Life goes by so fast that we do not take time to reflect on things that change our lives’ directions, but life is made up of times like this, and it is well worth it to make your own top 10 list.