Whether I wanted to learn or not, 2014 decided that it had a lot to teach me. Some of the things I learned this year:
1. I learned about my Dad. My Pops passed away in July and as we celebrated his life and prepared for and had his funeral I learned more and more about him. Things I wish I would have known before he passed. He never talked a lot about himself, but at his funeral it was opened up for people to share their thoughts/memories of him. I learned a lot. After the funeral two individuals were talking about how it was "the best funeral ever!"- and they truly sounded excited and happy about it. And you know what- I agree. His life was celebrated and I learned more of his awesomeness and how he touched many. Even at the time of his death, he was still teaching us.
2. I learned about myself. I started a new job this year and it stretched me. I did things I've never done- plan a picnic for 300, pull off a huge bazaar, become a manager, do a radio ad. Of course I had help, I couldn't have done it without help, but I learned I could do things I didn't know I could. I learned that people had confidence in me and that built my own confidence.
3. I've learned that I really do have friends and that a lot of people are here for me. I have a hard time making close friends- the kind that you run to lunch with feel comfortable dropping in on without notice. I have had them and I'm grateful- but in general I just feel like I don't make close friends very well. However, I have learned that I have friends just the same. This year has had some really tough spots, but time and time again I have been blessed with caring friends who stepped up to the plate in one way or the other. Whether it was answering questions, providing a meal, texting me to ask how I was doing, letting me know I'm not alone in one way or another. I feel so blessed, and chastened for the times I felt sorry for myself saying I didn't have friends. There is more than one way to be a friend.
4. To go along with #3, I also learned that it really is the "thought that counts" - at times people did whatever they thought might be useful to us or kind. And it really didn't matter if it was or wasn't- but what did matter is that I knew that they were trying to reach out to us and help us in whatever way they could think of.
I've learned more this year as well, but sometimes what I've learned is wrapped up in someone elses story that isn't really mine to share. 2014 taught me many things, but what I hold in my heart is that I'm blessed and have much to be thankful for.
And so it goes...
Reading Now: "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" and "Nine Lives"
Just Read- "How to be an American Housewife"
