As most people do during the New Year, I have reflected on the year just completed. Two Thousand Nine had not been one of my most favorite years. It actually was one of my worst; second only to 2003 when my father died. Two Thousand, the year I almost died, pales in comparison to those two. So, I am very happy to say 2010 was a pretty good year. Let's look at the evidence:
Health of our family - Jerry and I both exercised consistently during 2010. That made a big difference in how we felt generally. I even walked my first race and lost some weight during the year. Jerry's brothers and sisters-in-law had some rough patches but have come through them. My mom had an uneventful, sweet, healthy year. Considering we didn't think she would be with us into 2011, that is a blessing although coping with her dementia remains extremely hard.
Vacations - The highlight of our year was our helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon while on vacation in Las Vegas in February. Fantastic! My sister, Linda, and I took a trip to Alabama in March to visit our maternal grandparents' graves and do some ancestral research. Linda, we really must do that again. Over Labor Day our family rented a cabin at Center Hill Lake. The guys played golf and the rest of us went to Burgess Falls and Cumberland Caverns. So fun! In December we got snowed in at a condo in Gatlinburg while celebrating Ron and Shelby's 50th wedding anniversary. It really doesn't matter where you are or what you do. Hanging out with the ones you love makes for the best of times.
Time with Family and Friends - Turner and Carson spent some quality time at our house during the summer. We packed as many activities and memories into those days as possible. We spent some happy weekends with all of them in Jonesborough. Having them so far away is sad for me but seeing them so happy in their new home helps. In December I spent a week with them in the snow and ice just playing Barbies and helping out. It was wonderful to see Carla and Carson in their church Christmas play. We have spent many a Friday or Saturday night lingering over a plate of food chatting with good friends. That's how we spent the last few hours of 2010 -- talking, laughing and eating with old friends.
So, 2010 is history but it was good history filled with many pleasant memories that we will cherish for years to come. Yes, the economy wasn't great and we wish we had made more money but we are rich in bunches of other things, things that money can't buy.
