Reflection

Good Morning to the few of you that may read my blog.  :) With 2012 coming to an end, it's now a time for me to reflect on the year that has gone by and think about my goals for the upcoming year.  I have heard people say, "I don't make resolutions" or have heard people talk about the silliness of resolutions.  I personally don't think that there is anything wrong with it.  For me, it gives me hopes and plans for the future and it gives me some sort of road map to help me to be better and do better. It's not an end all to be all, just a guide. :)  I'm going to make my list here on line to help me to be more accountable.  Granted, not many people read this blog and I do it more for myself anyway, but once I publish it, it will be out there in cyber world. LOL

Resolutions for 2013 (I reserve the right to modify or add to this in the upcoming days)

1) Organize my finances (This one is huge and requires many steps. Ugh!)
     - Call Consumer Credit Counseling Agency
2) Make running a habit again. :)
3) Complete a marathon for Maddie, Ila-Jean, and many other child angels.
4) Organize the Fall Festival/Pumpkin Carving Contest
5) Eat healthier
    - Pack lunches for work
    - Make smoothies in the morning
6) Invite friends of mine and my mom's over for dinner once or twice a month
7) Invite Robin, Kevin, and Erin & Garrett to something at least monthly for a year to try to establish a family relationship
8) Cross-training activity once per week
9) Learn to play guitar
10) Take an actual vacation - preferably somewhere with a beach!
11) Continue once a month book club
12) Write down a positive thought each day and put it in my New Year's Jar
13) Organize and keep rooms organized
14) Complete foster care process
15) Participate in at least one fun/out-of-the ordinary activity a month (i.e. Painting class, cooking class, hike)
16) Blog more frequently
17) Have more patience and take better care of my mom

OK - I will stop my list for now, but I'm sure there is more. If I think of anything, I will add it as I go along.

P.S. I forgot the reflection part, which is the title of this entry so I will take a moment to do so now. :)

This past year has been difficult for many families locally and throughout the world with so many children dying senseless deaths.  I have been overwhelmed by the strength and the courage I have seen from local families that I have come to know who have done such positive things to remember these angels.  In February, Matt and Erin Musto lost their beautiful 5-year old daughter to a rare-inoperable brain tumor.  While they grieve, they have also done so much through their organization Maddie's Mark to help other children as well as the community.  I never had the privilege of knowing Maddie in person, but her spirit lives on through the memories of her.  Another family, the Rathbone's lost their daughter Ila Jean in April after a long fight with Neuroblastoma.  I went to elementary school with Ila Jean's mom Jennifer.  I followed her story through Jen's facebook and caringbridge posts and was constantly amazed by her strength and faith in God.  Online videos of Ila Jean showed her spunk and spirit and although I did not meet her either, I was able to see what an amazing child she was.  Finally, just before Christmas, Devon LaPrade lost his 19-month battle with the same type of tumor that took Maddie Musto just 5-days after her diagnosis.  This was another warrior that I never got to meet but I followed his story and prayed for him and his family as I did for all the others.  I don't think I ever actually knew his mom Michelle personally, but my friend Sandy was friends with her throughout high school and told me some wonderful things about her.  Even though I hadn't known Devon, I could see through everything that Michelle was an amazing mom, as were all of these other parents dealing with such tragedies.  Michelle was there for her son Devon every step of the way as he fought this horrendous battle.  Each one of these parents has taken tragedy and used it to help others.  Even though Michelle is grieving, I see that she often takes time out to think of others in her facebook posts and she is so thankful for the support of the community.

In 2013, I hope to focus on the positives and become a better person.  All of the families I have described above have been faced with unthinkable tragedies but have chosen to do something positive in the face of those tragedies. Let's hope for good things for all of us in 2013!

Prayers to the families in Newtown, CT as well as they are facing a difficult road ahead. And prayers to the family and friends of the teens that were killed or injured in Clifton Park.  I am thankful for all that I have!

If I don't get a chance to write before next year, Happy New Year!! :)