Good-bye 2013. Hello 2014.
I have to say that I am truly grateful for this New Year. Why? Specifically,
I couldn’t tell you “why.” Only that a
new year always brings new and different opportunities for growth. A new year also allows for us to review our
progress for the goals and resolutions made in the previous year. When my son Aaron was home visiting at Christmas,
he asked us “what is your new year’s resolution?” Mark responded with “I am going to run the
St. George Marathon!” Me, wellllllllll,
my goals are both of a physical and spiritual nature and I began to list all of
them off. I am not sure what kind of
answer Aaron was expecting, but he rolled his eyes as in a “yeh, yeh, yeh.” Ha!
This is perhaps “why” I don’t ever really share my goals as they really
only pertain to me, and how I can improve myself. And, the bottom line is that is all that
matters.
However, this year is a landmark year for
me. Ahhhh…why, you ask? I am 55! What does that even mean??? It means that I officially get Senior
Discounts at SO many places. I can get
at least a 10% discount at most hotels.
EVERY Tuesday at Michaels, I can get a 10% discount. 5% discount on shipping at all UPS stores (this
will help as I am mailing something to my children/grandchildren
all.the.time!). I get a discount at the
movie theatre now! I can now go the
movies with my mother and we can both get our senior discount. Do you even know how exciting this is??? And…I receive anywhere from 10-15% at certain
restaurants~given only if I go on certain days during the week. However, I can get a 15% discount at Denny’s
ALL day, EVERY day! Ok…I agree, Denny’s
could gag a maggot! I guess I will see how many discounts my "AARP" card will really get me this year...
Do I feel older?
Hair: I have to get my hair colored once a month
with a root touch up every two weeks. My
hair is as w.h.i.t.e as snow, but I will keep coloring it as long as I have the
mind to do so.
Memory: I have found myself often repeating
myself. What do I mean? When speaking with my children, I have found
myself telling them something I already had told them about. They are kind enough to say, “Mom, you
ALREADY told me that!” At which point I
reply, “I did??? Are you sure?” I can almost feel their eyes rolling on the
other side of the phone. ha!
Physical: I do walk 5 miles almost everyday and swim a
mile 3-4 times per week. I know my speed
and it is not in the marathon area! I
enjoy being outside and hiking with my family.
However, I am usually the super slow one at the end.
Laughter: I have always and forever loved to
laugh. I enjoy seeing my kid’s laugh, my
husband laugh, my grandchildren laugh, and my friend’s laugh. Since Zach’s passing, this has been a difficult
thing to retrieve. The reason being is
that I have almost felt at times as if I have betrayed Zach by smiling and/or
even laughing. But, the truth of it is
that I believe Zach wants me to be happy.
I have had a special experience where he showed me how he wanted me to
remember him and help his friends remember him.
We found his banana chair video a few days after his passing. When I watch it, I remember all too well how
Zach found joy and humor in life and he wants me, Mark, his siblings, and friends
to enjoy life. And, this includes
laughing. I showed Mark a video last
night and he busted up. I thoroughly
enjoy listening to Mark’s laugh as it is infectious and warms my soul. Zach’s laugh was much the same, infectious. It makes me smile to think about it.
Five years ago, if you do the math, I
turned 50. That was a landmark year and
the kids had all planned a surprise party for me. I believe Zach was the most excited. He had an extremely difficult time keeping
secrets and I could just about coerce any secret out of him. Mark and I were on our way back from Vegas,
and all the kids and guests were busily preparing the big “50th”
surprise party. Zach had called Mark
several times and Mark kept cutting him off as Mark was really trying to keep a
lid on the surprise. I couldn’t help
myself and called Zach and I proceeded to lie to him that Dad "kind of told me" what is happening. I also told him that
Dad said it was all right for him to tell me what was going on. Zach’s reply was, “really?” At which point, Mark (who was driving) began
to scream and yell at Zach telling him not to say anything. He was also frantically trying to take my
phone away from me and almost sacrificed his Lexus ISF sports car in doing so. Being able to reflect back on
that moment in time, five years ago, I am overcome with mixed emotions of
smiles, laughter, and even tears. Zach
is a gem!
Zach had to be right by my side when everyone yelled "SURPRISE!"
Look at his smile...makes me smile
Do I have any wisdom to offer any of
you? Not a drop! I believe that each of our journeys is
different and each of us has to find our way.
However, I challenge you to be a little kinder this year and witness how
your kindness can transform you and those around you. I close this birthday/New Year’s blog with a
video from President Hinckley with that challenge “to be a little kinder” in
2014.
