2015... Friend or foe

Another calendar year has turned, another year gone, and a new one has come. The pondering of what 2015 will bring sits in my mind. Some years pass without ruffle. Some consist of highs and lows and others are pleasant. The year we welcomed Josh into the family (a big blessing) was the hardest year for our marriage. 2010 was riddled with so much kid sickness and I went a tad crazy adjusting to three kids under 4. 2012 went easy on us.  2013 was wonderfully smooth. 2014, well, it wasn't the best year... It wasn't awful, but it was trying and bitter and something to endure rather than enjoy.  I won't go into self loathing wah wah wah, but one family member contracting cancer and another enduring a chronic illness and other trials, financial blahs, and just raising 5 small kids resulted in a pretty strenuous year. Silver lining: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. 

This year I gained more faith and learned to rely more completely on God.  The year was hard, but not "bad." I don't take any of it back. We also joined a new parish and are trilled there. It's such a comfortable fit. We welcomed a beautiful, serene baby girl. Jim completed his weight loss journey and ended up losing 50+ pounds total (since 2011).  I had a year full of growth. Not all bad... Just trying. 

It makes you wonder about 2015 though. Things that I already know will happen in 2015 are:

- June will receive his second and third sacraments of the Church: First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. 

- Elizabeth will start Kindergarten, June third and Josh first grade. 

- Emily will become a full talker and shed her last bit of baby this year. 

 

However, much is entirely unknown. 

So much lies in that unknown... A friend of mine said she feels like we are at the part of the book right before you turn to a new chapter. I hope that's right. An exciting year full of positive change would be wonderful, but the beauty is in the mystery. 

Will Jim get a new and hopefully closer job?  

Will we move? Can we move? 

Will this be a year of health or a year of health struggles? 

Will we say hello to new faces within our circle of friends and family? Or, God forbid, will we say goodbye to anyone near? 

Will this year be one of triumph over accrued debt, or a year spend treading water? 

The mystery of what lies ahead is a gift. If told what the future holds, you might buckle under the weight. Run at the hardship. Stand frozen by the abundant blessing. 2014 came step by baby step. We persevered through each hurdle and celebrated each kindness. 

Handling it all as a whole would be overwhelming, so again this year, I welcome what 2015 has in store. I can't say how it will go and what we will shoulder or celebrate, but my hope is to remain optimistic, and give back where I can.  Whether the year is easy and happy or hard and trying... I hope to get through it with family by my side and complacency in my heart. 

Here's to 2015!