So welcome 2015. As
we greet this year, like every new year, with hope and optimism of a time to
come filled with endless possibilities, I have the flu. This actually has been the best start to
the year that I could ask for. Back in late 2014, I began thinking of all the things I might change or not change but, as with all of us, sometimes our lives are so busy that even if we wanted to
explore new avenues or take new roads, we just don’t have the time. Well, here I find myself home sick for over a
week now, unable to have the energy to just go to the store and it has been the
best worst thing ever.
In my boredom, accompanied by my resolution, I find myself
excited about new ventures I want to take on this year. Whether they come about or not, it is an
excitement I have as I sit here on my couch with a bunch
of tissues for company.
My first resolution this year is to get a bible plan and
read the bible in a year. I know, I have started this many time before only to
have springtime roll around and call me to the great outdoors and leave my
readings in the middle of Numbers with a promise to continue at some point. So I begin again… Genesis 1:1. Yesterday I made it to the point where we are
counting Jacobs descendants before he dies.
There were 70. Wow, I thought. Can you imagine living to see 70 of your
direct descendants?
This brings my mind to my own family. My past. The people who have set the stage for my life
and have paved a way for me to live in this time with the resources and spirit
that I have. All of them in a book at the top of my closet
put together by the writers and readers long ago that wanted to ensure the
family would never forget the way it all started.
As I open the first page, the introduction was enough to
humble me and put in the perspective of who I am. Here is the text:
“This is the story of your GIBSON ancestors. It is, of
course, incomplete but I leave it to your imagination or to further exploration
to round out the story of the lives of the men and women noted here. Your ancestors
were not important people. For the most part they were uneducated artisans – farmers,
carpenters, fishermen, shoemakers, tavern and store keepers; hard working,
simple people who made up the bulk of early immigrants to New England – people who
were responsible for the development of the Colonies and our democratic way of
life. Your GIBSON ancestors were good citizens. They served continually in
public office as selectmen, surveyors, assessors, constables, representatives
to the General Court, etc. They were
church going people, too, taking their turn serving as deacons and as members
of the various church committees. You will be proud to note that this record of
church and community service runs through ten generations.”
You know what I love?
That even with all the service in politics and things of the state, she
finishes with what I should be most proud of: church and community
service. There it is. This is what the family of my past holds
dear. This is where we have
strayed. We were meant to have a life
filled with joy in serving and worshiping.
These two things I am sure of are what make my life in the here and now
so wonderful. I could write pages of all
the cool stuff I am finding but that I will save for another time. These are the sweet penny candy treats I so
adore.
