#ILived

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.