Now How Did THAT Happen???

Apparently, I allowed an entire year to go by without posting on this site. Was it an especially busy year? It would seem so.

For me, it has been a year of reflection and assessment and adjustment. After all, I'm not getting any younger. I have been learning to cope with the challenges that come with an older body and mind, while at the same time, spurring on four, energetic boys and encouraging three grown daughters and one struggling veteran-son. I am finding new ways to contribute, communicate, create and express myself.

I'm mindful of the verse: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" in Ecclesiastes 3.

There are phases to life and this year I've sensed a shifting into the next phase.

Grand-parenting is one joyous aspect of this phase! We were particularly remiss in introducing our lovely little granddaughter, Laura Rose Reber, when she joined the family last March. Shame on us. She and Louis aren't quite a year apart. Their relationship is absolutely precious to behold. She dotes on him, imitates him, depends on him; and, he is all too happy to entertain, coddle and protect her. I am extremely grateful for the privilege to have them in such proximity as to touch their lives at least on a weekly basis.

It finally occurred to me that there was no longer any reason why I should not join Howard in regularly donating blood. Please read his eloquent treatise on his "Howard's Harangue" here:
http://howardsharangue.blogspot.com/2008/08/giving-life.html
This has been a rewarding experience, especially since we treat it like a date. :)

Communication has always been of utmost importance to me, hence the addition of the use of Facebook, as well as our blogs. Paper and pencil are still my favorite media; but, it is rare to find someone else who agrees. So, I'm learning to manage my "fellowship" and correspondence time over the Internet.

I have never experienced boredom, to which I so frequently hear young folks refer. I always seem to have more "on my plate" than time permits. The "trick" is to manage and prioritize wisely. It would appear that keeping this blog busy with entries simply fell to the bottom of my list this past year. But, my thoughts have to come out somewhere, sometime; so, maybe "Mama's Musings" will be busier in the future!