I had an opportunity to watch "White Christmas" at TPAC this year and think about the following words as I reflect on this year: When I'm worried and I can't sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep - and I fall asleep counting my blessings.
2012 will NOT go down as one of my favorite years for many reasons. However, looking back on the year I can't help but see many blessings that came as a result of heartaches we went through. I hope you can look back on your year and find many blessings as well.
Heartache - Kelsey anxious/stressed about changing her major and where to go to school this year.
Blessing - She decided on Nursing and going to Union University in Jackson. She is living with Christy and Phillip (3 miles from campus), has made new friends, likes the school, is doing well in classes, joined their church, is singing with 2 praise bands, and looking forward to a mission trip to Haiti during the summer of 2013.
Heartache - Glen is diagnosed with esopahgeal cancer and lymphoma.
Blessing - He had successful esophageal surgery in May, recovered, had 6 rounds of chemo to fight the lymphoma, and now the low grade lymphoma is gone and the high grade is in remission. He is still weak at times, but has been able to go back to work, travel for family activities, and enjoyed Christmas with his family at home.
Heartache - "Memo" passed away on Sunday, June 10th.
Blessing - She lived a long life and blessed so many people. She would have been 97 on July 13th. We were able to visit with family and celebrate so many memories of her life. She is now back with Pappy in heaven.
Heartache - On May 4th my job of 21 years was eliminated and I had to start looking for a new job for the first time in 25 years.
Blessing - The timing of my job loss and Glen's surgery and recovery being about the same time, we were able to provide support and assistance for Peggy and Glen without worrying about vacation days or how to take care of Courtney. Jennifer was able to spend many nights with them in McMinnville caring for Glen and allowing Peggy to get some rest (especially when she had severe back pain for a few weeks). I was able to spend more time with Courtney during the summer (we bowled about 5 days a week) and make a few extended trips to visit my family in Sweetwater. We have also been able to spend more time with Christy's family in Jackson. I know God has a plan for me and I have to be patient and seek His guidance to know what that plan will be.
Heartache - Courtney had to have her heart valve replaced again.
Blessing - Due to advances in technology, the doctor was able to replace the valve via a catheterization process and did not have to do open heart surgery. Courtney missed only 3 days of school and was back bowling a week later. It is nice to see direct results from the research funded by the American Heart Association which I have raised funds for the last 15 years.
Heartache - Kelsey had to have shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Blessing - Since she was in Jackson and Phillip and Christy knew the surgeon, we were able to get Kelsey in to see him quickly and get the surgery scheduled before the end of the year. Since I was not working, we were both able to be there for the surgery and help her during the recovery.
There are many other things (small in comparison, but seemed big at the time) that have happened during this past year, but at the end of the year when I look back, I realize that the biggest blessing is that we have a heavenly Father who loves us and cares for us so very much. We are also blessed to have an extended family that loves and cares for one another and we could not make it through these times without our faith in God and our love for one another.
I pray that 2013 does not bring as many heartaches and that we will have blessings heaped upon us. I thank you for your prayer support, ask that you continue to remember us in 2013, and I pray a special blessing on each of you for a very safe, prosperous, and blessed new year.
Thank you and God bless each of you.
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