Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes

Apparently, given enough downtime, I will begin to blog again. Who knew? (Mostly putting this here so I can find them easily. I'm not really that vain.)

I've had some fun publishing "Nines" on my Facebook at the end of each year. It started in 2018 with nine photo highlights from my year. I found it a great way to look back and be thankful rather than be "happy to have that year behind us." The pictures still make me smile.

In 2022, after posting scads of selfies, I decided to compile those pictures too and watch my own journey progress. I was finally feeling free, smiling more, and learning to love and accept the individual God created me to be. This also made me smile.

I don't remember if I couldn't choose in 2023, or if I wanted a picture from each and every month, because instead of the usual "nine" I upped the ante to 16. At least one from every month. It's my own study in aging so I can't stop now.

The year 2024 brought a few rough patches, along with a new pair of bifocals. My co worker and I faced indicated reports for an incident in our classroom, I lost my job at the daycare, and then stayed home with my grandchildren all summer. In September I followed my friend and her son to Florida and drove back home alone. I took the job at Dunkin soon after my return. The pictures still make me smile. Life has been good. I breathe easier even with the challenges.

Here we are at the end of 2025. I've worked at Dunkin for a full year now, and am considering possible alternatives. It's been a hard year for so many people, unbelievably agonizing for others. We've been tipped upside down politically. To say "God is good all the time," feels trite and somewhat untrue. So much awfulness has transpired... My heart hurts for those affected. Yet, there are a myriad of reasons to be thankful, and to hope for better days in the year to come or the stamina to soldier through.

I haven't given up on the "Nines" in the midst of aging. I'm determined to remember the good and to smile when I remember all the blessings of the year.