Friday, December 31, 2010

Hopeful

(Lake Michigan)


We are on the cusp of a brand new year.  And a brand new decade. 

I try not to look into the past too much, but the end of the year has a way of making you reflect.  And this time I glanced not only at this past year that whizzed right by, but at the past decade that came and went in warp speed.

This past decade of my life has seen so much change.  Just thinking about all that has happened blows my mind.

- I got married.
- I changed jobs.
- I moved three times.
- We bought our first house.
- I quit my job.
- We had four beautiful children.
- Mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
- Dad passed away. 
- We built and moved into our dream home.

And that's not even including what our country and what our world has experienced in the past ten years.  We've had an attack on our country, a huge natural disaster, tsunamis, earthquakes, oil spills, economic failure.  The past ten years have seen it's fair share of hardship when you think of it.  But here we are.

I can't even imagine where my life will lead in ten years.  Or what this world will be like.  But I am hopeful.  For in each new year, each new day, there is hope. 

I pray that this new year brings hope, health, and happiness for you all.

Happy New Year!

28 comments:

lime said...

it's been a rough decade for so many of us in so many ways...and yet, yes, there is hope and there are still so many good things that happened. a worthy reflection. i wish you and your family peace, health, and happiness in 2011.

Jill said...

what a decade! here's to a happy new year and to all new memories in this next 10...

Tabor said...

When you put it into a capsule, the decade is monumental...both personally and publically.

Rachel said...

All the same to you.

Goodbye, last decade -- here's to a new one.

xoxoxo

Rima said...

Happy New Year, Kat! Wishing you a fabulous decade to come!

imbeingheldhostage said...

Good riddance 2010 and the decade it ended! Oh, I can't seriously say that, three of my five were born in that decade ;-) Here's to a great new Year Kat, I'm wishing only the best for you and your family.

I LOVE your new template. I tried to go with something wintry but just could make a decision. THIS is perfect.

Tammy said...

Happy New Year!! I guess I should reflect on the last ten years!! So much has happened for sure!

Kelly said...

Wow, I never even stopped to think about this being the start of a new decade! 10 years ago I only had one kid, had been married for 5years, been at my part time job only 1 year. Crazy how time flies.

Cyndy Bush said...

It's amazing, what can happen and change in 10 short years.
I wish you a wonderful new year & decade! xoxo

dawn klinge said...

It has been quite a decade! Both for you personally and for the country. I have a great deal of hope for this next decade as well. Happy New Year to you!

Mom24 said...

Really beautiful Kat. I hope you have a wonderful 2011.

Lindsay said...

Happy New Years to you and yours - can't wait to read on in 2011!

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

You've had quite a decade, Kat!!! It's making me look at my life in the last 10 years. I will not say "good riddance" to it, as with you...there have been many blessings in it. So, I'll just say: here's to many more blessings in this new decade!!

Happy New Year, Kat~

xoxoxoxo Carol

Riahli said...

Beautiful picture! It truly is amazing how much can happen in ten years!!!

Wishing you all the best in the New Year! :)

painted maypole said...

after months of lingering sadness, I'm starting to feel the hope.

new years are good for that. ;)

Cara said...

I love your optimism! I think it always best to start out with the positive attitude. There is always going to be negatives to any year but if you look for the good you will find it.

Unknown said...

Perfectly stated my friend. Happy New Year to you and yours. Here's to a great 2011! :)

Jeni said...

I started out this decade in a job I hated, then quit that place, took another job and was fired from that one. The next year, I took a job writing for our local newspaper (as a trainee) and was let go from that place too. I'm seeing a pattern here, ya know. After that, I was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer and amazingly enough, my depression began to lift. Go figure! I had two wonderful gifts come my way though with the birth of my two youngest grandchildren -Maya and Kurtis -and then, finished the decade out with yet another go-round of cancer, uterine this time which brought me something new too -baldness from the chemo! Just a little something extra to laugh about there ya know.
But I can honestly say that even with the cancer, twice; with both grandchildren diagnosed with autism, my life as I know it today is much, much better than it was 10 years ago and each downfall or defeat -call 'em what you want -has served to change my perspective on life and living and enjoying everything I possibly can along the way! And with all you've done in the past ten years, Kiddo, I think you've done the same -or are working darned hard at mastering that aspect of life! Keep it up, Kat! It will ultimately bring you great happiness -as I think you've already seen, haven't you?
Peace and the Happiest of New Years to you and yours!

Joanna Jenkins said...

You have been BUSY!

Thanks for stopping by my blog (via Hilary's POTW). I really appreciate it. I've been looking around and reading your blog and, wow, what a gorgeous family you have!

I wish you all a happy and healthy new year. I'll say a special prayer for your Mom tonight.

Cheers, jj

Anonymous said...

Back at ya, Kat! Here's to good things for you and your family this year!

Hilary said...

Wishing you and your beautiful family all the very best for 2011.

Suldog said...

Hope is what it's all about, Kat. And faith, of course. Here's wishing you and yours a wonderful 2011!

sitting on the mood swing at the playground said...

Happy new year to you and your family.

ewe are here said...

Wishing you and your lovely family a Brilliant 2011.


And your new hair looks fabulous.
:-)

Karen Deborah said...

Well said, thank God we don't know what the future holds. I am grateful for today. I am grateful to be improving finally! And I am grateful to know you sweet Kat. Happy New Year to you too.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Wow, that is a lot!
I feel the hope too! I'm so happy to start 2011 afresh!
I wish the best for you in the new year!

Rebecca Ramsey said...

PS. That cheering section photo on the couch just couldn't be cuter!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

What a decade. And, here's to the next one.

I don't know what it says about me that I didn't even think about being a new decade...well, because the last two months of this one sort of sucked. But, here's to a bigger and better 2011.

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson