Twelve years is a long time. When I first began here in December 2009, I wanted to reprint a few poems and say thank you to the editors – perhaps send a few new readers their way. I was looking back at a chronic illness and surgery, and then the caregiving years with my mother, and then others in the family. My health experience made me a better caregiver. I learned that each hard experience makes us stronger for the next, if we can accept and learn.

When I was in the hospital in June 2018, I wondered if I would blog again. Slowly I began again, one slow step at a time.. A post that could be viewed in a few minutes could take a few hours to create, and lots of rest around the work. Now if I have thought about something for a time, I can write a post in a relatively short time.

Karl and I are both fully vaccinated. We had our booster shots and senior flu shots this Fall. We wear our face masks and practice social distance. Please stay safe and take good care.

When we lived in Illinois, I taught Sunday School for 12 years. Karl helped. Other places of work and education were for shorter periods of time.

I think about history and challenges each generation has to face. In my own way, I understand how we may think we are on one path, and then life asks something different of us. Down the road, there will be more depth and colors in one’s work. I cannot say I completely understand, but like my parents – who went through an economic depression. wars, and health challenges too – I have “big picture faith.”

Twelve years here – lots of changes and one post at a time. Times away, and hopefully some growth. A quiet Christmas here. Thank you.

And always the Psalms:

God be merciful unto us, and bless us;
and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

That thy way may be known upon earth,
thy saving health among all nations.

Psalm 67: 1 – 2