The Storyteller's Corner

 

The New Beginning

                                              by Collette

Some people think of spring as a new beginning, a rebirth or a fresh start, but for me, it has always been the New Year. It’s like I have a clean slate with nothing written upon it. I have renewed hope and enthusiasm for what I can accomplish with the gift of the start of another year. It has always been a time of reflection about my marriage, my children, my work and about me. Since I have always been a list maker, this becomes my ultimate list-my plan for the future.

As I sit watching the snow fall while I write my resolutions, I am reminded about which areas of my life I have seriously made changes. I have probably done best in the job part of my life. When one teaches you are responsible for many lives. In fact I have said many times if a teacher cannot change, she better get out of education because that is the nature of the job. Even if I hadn’t embraced change at the work place I would have had to in order to keep my job. Luckily for me, I found making changes at work a simple thing to do.

After 45 years of marriage, there have been many changes in order to be married that long. Some of those changes were hard and sometimes difficult to make. Going from a newlywed, to a mother, to motherhood with a job, to a grandmother, to an empty nest and retirement have changed both my husband and me. I have to admit sometimes I went kicking and screaming into change, but I did it and grew in the process. Luckily for me, my husband and I have been a team throughout those years.

Having two sons brought change with each year. My plans for them were often not met; not because of anything they did or didn’t do, but because they were each different and had their own plans and goals. I learned more from them then I think they did from me. They have become independent, successful men. What else could a mother ask for? Luckily for me, they have done well with change.

The final area of resolutions was focused on how I could do better with myself. Every year there was the goal of losing weight and getting healthy. I know most women have that as a focus and like most I haven’t done well in this area. As I face age and all of the wonderful things that go along with falling apart, I do wish I had taken better care of myself each new year. I have paid the price for neglect. I now set short-term goals in this area. (My birthday is at the end of the month, and I will try to keep the carbs at a minimum at least until then.)

So what shall I write down at the start of this New Year? I resolve to spend more quality time with my grandchildren, take more week-ends away with my husband, spend more time writing, work on cutting carbs longer than January…