2008 Reflections

I guess I will jump on the bandwagon and write about the year "2008". As I sit here thinking, I am feeling like it was a pretty great year. We made it through another year. I am healthy, my family is healthy, what more could ask for? Nothing. Oh we could ask to win the lottery, but really its not necessary. Would it be nice? Well sure!!! Of course, there is one catch to that..."You gotta buy the damned ticket first!" LOL

The year started out kind of rough. My son was going through a rough time physically and emotionally. My youngest started out the year passing out behind the wheel of his truck, having a wreck, and taken to the hospital in an ambulance. After many, many, many tests, nothing was found. He has a history of a heart problem that was corrected when he was 13 (he is now 20), but the tests for that recurring were negative. All tests were negative. We should've been happy, right? Well not knowing drove me crazy. He had another passing out spell at college, sending him to the ER again. More tests, more doctors, but not any more answers. He has been through many tests this year and the only thing they ever came up with was anxiety. He seems to be fine now. During the summer, this same son (I have two = one is 25 and the youngest is 20) had an accident with an auger bit and nearly shredded his first finger right off on his right hand. The doc at the ER was amazing and did some amazing sewing to get that finger back where it needed to be. He has full use of the finger and just some scars and some nerve pain are his constantly reminders. He was so lucky, or blessed, that it wasn't worse. He, obviously, is my accident prone child. After having horrible semester due to all the health problems, he didn't go back this year. He plans to start back up this next semester. My oldest son, was accepted into a master's program that basically he is forming himself. He also got funding for his master's program, which was a major biggie. He's been under some major stress with his coursework and his work he has to do with the local Indian Museum. He's studying to be a Forensic Anthropologist and getting this funding and internship was a major "kudo" for him. He's a bone guy, so to speak. Because he went to college at UT where the "body-farm" is, he has exerpience and knowledge that some of his professors don't have, so he's already being asked to help teach some anthropology courses. Pretty cool. He and his wife are doing remarkably well, other than living next door to her parents. Its about to drive both of them crazy, and boy I understand that! But all in all, they are happy too! Just busy. His wife is a CPA and now that the year is ending, well we won't be seeing her until after April 15th! But, she is working!

So, due to the fact that my youngest, ever since her started football in high school, seems to be a regular at the ER, I have put my female health problems on the backburner. Well, they reared their ugly head and I had to have a hysterectomy in November, rounding out the year just fine!! Now, I realize this is just the tip of the iceburg and seems like a lot to go through, but hey, seems like a normal year to me! LOL We've been through better, we've been through worse.

I can't see anything but the good in my life, even when little crises tend to rear their ugly heads. How many people do you know who have a wonderful marriage after 26 years? I do and am so happy about it. My husband and I have stable jobs that are secure. We have money in the bank. We live the life we want to live. What could be better? Sure, we all wish things were different. I wish I had this weight off of me. I wish my son could figure out what he wants to do with his life so he could be happy too. I wish for all of those soldiers to come home without yet another casualty. I know this is cliche' and hoakie, but I wish health and happiness to all the people I know and love and to all my blogging friends as well!

My best advice? Don't sweat the small stuff, its all small stuff.....and savour the moment. Especially to those who have children. Don't turn around becasue before you know it, their grown! Don't miss that ballgame or band recital because you are too busy because that's something you can't get back..........(I didn't miss any but my husband had too for various reasons beyond his control and he wishes he could get those moments back). Hug your kids. Hug your wife/husband. They are what matters!!

Happy New Year!!