Goodbye Old, Hello New

When the year comes to a close, we sit back and reflect on the good and the bad of it. We smile over the memories we've made, the laughter we've shared with our loved ones, all of the wonderful experiences that have come into our lives and had a positive effect on us. We remember all of our struggles and burdens that the year had given us, whether it's a situation involving finances, trouble with relationships, health issues, or dealing with the grief of losing someone; we think of those situations that we wish that we could change but can't and hope for a better year. 

Last year has been one full of blessings and full of turmoil. My husband and I lost a very dear friend in April of 2013. It is a loss that we still feel to this day and we will never be the same from having loved and lost such a remarkable young man. After he was ripped from this world, we came to know his family better and developed a strong relationship with his brother. We went with the family a few times to some church services and we realized that we needed to get our lives right with the Lord and we found a wonderful church to attend that has helped us to grow spiritually. We moved from a three bedroom apartment in a small city to a beautiful two bedroom home in the valley. I thought that living closer to my family, going from an hour and fifteen minute drive to a ten minute drive down the mountain, would mean that we could see each other more and have stronger relationships but that didn't really happen. I did finally learn to accept certain situations, and one of those situations is accepting that, at least right now, I cannot have the life that I want to have here in TN. So I approached my husband with the desire to move up to PA and to be closer to his family. He didn't want to move at that time because he was happy with his job at the prison, so I told him that if he ever lost that job that we should just move up to PA. He was dismissed from his job just two weeks later (maybe even less time than that). Although the state has finally reviewed his case and decided he was eligible to work for the state again, he has been reluctant to go back for rehire. We believe at this point that moving up to PA is going to be the best thing for us and our children and we plan to do so after we get our income tax money.

With the close of last year, we are closing many doors and paving the way for new ones to open. I cannot predict the future but I am making plans that I believe will bring about the best one possible. I am determined to make this year one of our best ones yet and I believe that we can accomplish that goal. Today is the first day of the new year and the first day of the rest of our lives and I hope that you, reader, are every bit as determined to make the most of it as we are.

I am ready.