Another Year, Another Day

December 31, 2024
Beloved:
          New Year’s Eve has never been a particularly exciting holiday for me.  I much prefer quiet time at home over a fancy and loud party.  Some friends are coming over tomorrow for snacks and a puzzle.  We might go all out and watch a movie too!
          The older I get, the more the holiday becomes one of letting go and starting over.  Putting away my Christmas decorations always gives me the itch to purge and organize my house.  I sort every closet and rearrange books and yarn and fabric.  I go through the magazines, keep some and set some aside to cut up for collaging.  Expired food, ratty socks, things I never wear are tossed, recycled and donated.  I disconnect the garden hose and put the comforter on my bed.  I get out the unfinished knitting projects or books from the green bookcase.  Finally, having touched and looked at most everything I own, I then settle into the warmth of winter, the great privilege of having a home.
          The harder work is internal, of course, letting go of broken things that only time can mend, time and my capacity not to pick at scabs of wounds time is trying to heal.  Letting go instead of replaying scenes, wondering what else I might have said or done, if things might have worked out differently if only I had tried harder, then finally admitting I did the best I could and even if I didn’t the past is over and done.  The faithful work from here is taking what lessons we can and being gentle with ourselves, even in our memories.
          I am looking forward to the new year with my whole heart:  to new friends, new ministry, new quilt and knitting projects.  My baby grandson will learn to walk and my 3-year-old granddaughter wants to learn to sew.  In just a few weeks I’ll order new perennials for my flowerbeds.  I expect to enjoy it all even if there is a crummy day here and there.  I pray that in the balance of the memories and the expectation, you find yourself at peace and full of joy.

~ peace & prayers,
pastor annette

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