New Beginnings

 

November 2024

I have taken quite some time off blogging. My apologies. I’m not sure why. I wrote several pieces, but never posted them.

A lot has happened to all of us over these years. For me, my youngest sister passed away in 2016, and then Covid really kicked us all in 2020. Teaching school from home for a year and a half, and then under Covid restrictions the next year (masked and spread apart) played into that “kicking”. I was exhausted all the time. Then there was the 2020 Presidential campaign, which had, in my opinion, a positive ending, but it was touch and go for a while, and that too was exhausting. The next few years after the Covid exile were some of my best for teaching. I think we all came back to “real” school more appreciative. I planned for my retirement to begin at the end of the 2024 school year. I was looking forward to that experience (I told my seniors I would be graduating with them). Then at the beginning of this year my other sister was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Retirement took a back seat. She passed away in June, almost exactly 6 months after her diagnosis and a week after her 66 birthday. Her death devastated me, as she was my person, my closest friend. But she was at peace dying, celebrating her relationship with Christ. She humbled us all.

I realize that all of the above are only excuses for not putting my writing back on the blog, or for not writing at all. But I think I am ready now.  Through all of this I’ve been reading and growing and thinking about my faith. And I know my experiences are not unique to me. We have all experienced loss and frustration, anxiety and dread, along with what I hope has been some joy and amazement. I’d like to begin sharing again. The post- election piece was my start, and more will follow.

Thank you, to whoever is reading these. I’d love any feedback you’d like to give. Dialogue is more fun than monologue – although I do ok with that too J.  I will try to keep up my end of the bargain.