Adirondack Home

39 years

I turned 39 on Saturday.  A little reflection may be in order here....

I am blessed, no doubt about it.  I have accomplished so much, and there is still so much more to do.  Life has not always been easy, its been downright scary at times, but the two constants in my life are God and Kenny.  In that order. 

 I can share some of the high points of this past year.

I have learned how to lead a draft horse out of the forest skidding a maple tree.  I have learned to swear under my breath as same horse stepped on my foot and wouldn't get off it.  I learned to keep a brave face while the men around me turned white thinking I had crushed my foot.  I learned to keep on working.  I learned that time heals all wounds.

I learned how to keep my house warm in the winter without paying a dime to the oil company. I learned how to castrate a pig, how to gut a pig, how to wear a hat when skinning a pig so that you don't wind up with entrails on your head when the neighbor flips them on to your hatless head. I learned that chickens molt and get real ugly.  I learned that piglets are born exactly on time or they die. I learned that in  times of trouble, God is always there to lend a hand, in the form of friends.  I learned to lean on friends.

I learned that superman has left the building.  I learned that I could really get so stressed that I would ask a friend if her parents were still alive... and I go to church with them.  I learned that even after all these years, the thought of Kenny being hurt drives me to distraction.  I learned to be patient and kind during Kenny's recovery, even when I felt like pulling out my hair.  I learned that non refundable cruise tickets arrive the same day you find out your husband has to have surgery.  I have learned that you can still go on the cruise and enjoy yourself even when you think that you are going to die in a storm named Alberto.  I learned that I could let someone else watch my kids and they would survive.  And I learned that I would do it again in a heartbeat!

I learned that sometimes friends die before you get a chance to say goodbye. and that it is okay.  I learned that sometimes no matter how hard you try, you cannot keep it all together and take care of yourself.    I taught the tenth grade to one child. I laughed, I loved, I supported, I encouraged.  I remembered the best of the best, and I really tried to forget the rest.  Don't sweat the small stuff, its all small stuff. 

This past year I learned that I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to( I earned a whole bunch of ribbons at the county fair last year including a big best in show ) I realized yesterday that I have no desire to enter the fair this year.  And that's okay.

I am taking time to smell the flowers, inspect them, deadhead them, and move on.  I will sit on a porch swing and enjoy seeing my daughters play in the kiddie pool, chase my teenagers with the water hose, drink tea with my husband in the twilight, sitting on a blanket in the middle of our backyard field watching the fireflies light up the grass.  It is in these moments I will remember that life is good, we are healthy and happy and loved.

Untitled Comment

09:08, Tuesday, July 11, 2006 .. Posted by BackyardTreasures

Great post Jan! You have gone through a lot and accomplished a lot this past year. God is good! I'm glad I'm getting to know you more. :-)

~~Anne

Wonderful Post!

12:23, Tuesday, July 11, 2006 .. Posted by BuzyMumof3sons

Hi Jan,
What a wonderful post you wrote. It brought tears to my eyes. I learned today don't read blogs online while boiling hot dogs. Your children will ask you why you broke them. LOL

wow

09:45, Tuesday, August 29, 2006 .. Posted by VTLinda

This is absolutely wonderful! I'm thinking I want to save this, so when I get to questioning myself on all kinds of things, I can go back and read this. Happy Birthday! 6 weeks late! <Grin> I just turned 59 this month (August) and I think I need to sit down and write out what I've learned ... You've just inspired me tremendously. So glad to get to know you!
~Linda in Virginia