This last week of December is my favorite time of the year. This is both the opportunity and great need for me to ponder the year passing, and the new year coming to birth. Where have I been? Where am I going? What gifts has 2019 bestowed and what challenges lie in wait? I am not a seer but I certainly am able to reflect, learn and discern.
This is the year I’ve been privileged and saddened to attend many parishioner funerals. As I’ve heard their life stories through the lens of their family and friends, I feel urged to consider the goodness of their lives and how their simple living has impacted countless others. Each funeral brings me closer to my own. I realize keenly, that I have lived over half my life. Every day is always a gift, but this decade of my 60’s invites me to go deeper, to appreciate the tremendous opportunities I am given daily. I live comfortably—shelter, food, clothing; family, love, meaningful work. These are things not to be taken for granted, ever.
This is the year I’ve come to accept my physical aging. I am gray and I am beautiful. I have wisdom and courage and strength that no one can take. I am talented in many ways but I can also accept what I cannot do. I’ve become quite good at parsing out work, and encouraging others to take on what they can and should do. I think I am growing in an ability to be a good leader.
This is the year that I am feeling my physical aging. Fatigue comes quicker. I weep more easily than I have in about 12 years. Body pain happens more regularly. These things, while not much fun, help me to be more compassionate, and that is a good thing.
This is the year that I have learned that good intentions in creating don’t necessarily make the creativity happen. And you know what? That is okay. I feel better equipped to try again, to create and make mistakes and let it be.
This is the year I have become stronger in my ability to confront evil, to call out what is wrong, and to not be afraid to do so. Maybe, this is the year I have finally become an adult.
This next year, I hope to continue to grow the time for reflection and prayer, for pondering the little gifts and revelations of life. In these ponderings, I hope to encounter that which I call God. I have my goals:
- To write more regularly
- To reconfigure my blog (more on that to come)
- To be disciplined about creative time, as this feeds my being
- To divest my life of the things I no longer need, the habits that weigh me down, the food that does not nourish
- To simply breathe
I hope you will join me as we together ponder and grow in 2020.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and may your 2020 be blessed.

So much of what you’ve written here echoes my current experience, especially that of the funerals and awareness of ageing! And I, too have been tinkering beneath the bonnet (or should that be the dashboard?) of my blog. Thanks for the encouragement- and all best wishes for 2020 from ‘Holding Heaven!’🌟
Thank you for your thoughtful words of encouragement! I also enjoy your blog, btw! have a blessed 2020 and continue your great writing. I will look forward to reading more from you.
So well said, Nancy. And thank you for your broad and deep reflection. Much of it resonated, and inspired. Aging can be so spiritually rich as I am both grateful for my blessings and the strength God provides during trials. Turned 71 in the fall, so I know there are more trials ahead. Unnerving, sure. But also reassuring that the same God in whom I’ve found perspective and hope in past tough times, is not going anywhere!
Thanks Tom!
I love this time of year too. I love your reflections on the past and your goals for 2020. Happy New Year!
Thank you!
This certainly resonates with my own life, personally and professionally… in the midst of it all we look to the future with hope ❤️❤️
Thanks Michael! Have a blessed new year!
You as well, Nancie ❤️❤️
You commented that “I am not a seer but I certainly am able to reflect, learn and discern.” That is a skill not to be taken lightly. Many people don’t take the time to reflect and learn from their experiences. It seems like we have a lot in common. I am in my 60s and work for a Church, although I am unpaid. (I’m the librarian.) It is thought-provoking to see all the funerals. My daughter didn’t like when I mentioned that I’m in the autumn of life, but I think it’s good to be aware and honest with ourselves. I like your goals. They are similar to some of mine.
Thank you Susan.
I love it. You put into words things I have felt for awhile. Blessings. 🍃🌸
Thank you!