1 9 2018
It’s a new year,
obviously. For me, this year is new in several significant ways.
First of all, I
found a new way to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays. I needed a
break from the usual way, which was with my husband and family. At my husband’s
memorial service in October, our oldest son suggested I come with them to Spain
for the holidays. Okay, he didn’t exactly suggest—he told me I was going to do
that. I agreed it would be a good idea! It would have been dismal sitting at
home by myself, missing the things we’ve been doing together for so many years:
putting lights on the house, decorating the tree, doing the cards and Christmas
letter, eating cookies and other traditional foods.
So I made a break.
The other two kids were with the other sides of their families, and I went with
our oldest, my daughter-in-law, granddaughter and her boyfriend, and a couple
of our son and DIL’s friends to Spain, where their other daughter and her
husband have been living for a few years now. Since I was tied down taking care
of Hubby, I hadn’t gotten a chance to visit her there.
It was quite a
break! The foods were all unfamiliar, I didn’t put up any lights or even a tree
(only a wreath on the door before I left), and I didn’t mail out the Christmas
letter until a couple of days ago. I was sick while there, but even so had a
wonderful time and the trip was a total distraction. I didn’t have a chance to
miss Hubby nearly as much as I would have if I had stayed home.
I don’t think Christmas
in Spain will become my new tradition, but it gave me a break and I’ll have all
year to figure out what to do next year.
This year marks
another new beginning. My new series with Lyrical Press! I’m nearly done with
the first novel in the series and am trying to turn it in by the end of this
month. It needs some beefing up and polishing, which I started in on today. My
hope is that my Fat Cat fans will follow me to this new set of characters and
will like these Vintage Sweets books and characters as well as they liked Chase
and Quincy and the gang in Dinkeytown.
The other obvious
new beginning is my life as a widow. That will take the most work and will be
the hardest. I’ve gotten tremendous support from friends, family, even
strangers and those I know only here, online. I belong to one Grief Share group
and am exploring another one in a couple of weeks. I’ve started back to the
Pilates class I used to go to last year, and will resume walking as soon as
weather permits (freezing rain today!). I’ve gotten out of shape caring for
Hubby and need to recover my stamina and strength.
So, onward into 2018
I go. My motto this year: YOU CAN DO IT!
1st and 3rd pix from Morguefile. The second one is mine from Spain.
I've followed your journey through the bad times, and now I'm happy to follow you forward, which I'm sure will be good times. Your positive attitude will make that happen. Love and hugs in the new year.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Creating an entirely new life,discovering who you are and will be in this changing world and having the time to care for yourself again are great first steps. Reaching out for support and advice is also wise. Kaye, I admire you a great deal and look forward to your new series!
ReplyDeleteDay by day, Kaye. Can't wait to read about your adventures in Spain and admire your photos.
ReplyDeleteYou are always so positive, Judy. I know you will be successful at carving out a new path. I love your new motto. When my niece was about 5, she's in her 20s now, we were all winding down from Christmas lunch. I was reading in the same room with my niece and her older sister. She said, "I'm bored." Older sister said that she would play a game of Candyland with her. They invited me to join them, but I declined saying that I didn't remember how to play (and I really wanted to read). Young niece said, "We'll help you. You can do it." That has been my watchword for 20 years. I kept it posted by my bed as I made my arrangements to move to Italy. You can do it!.
ReplyDeleteKaye, your positive attitude will carry you on to a wonderful new life. Hubby will always be there in your mind, by your side, but you can go forward to new accomplishments, and more adventures like the trip to Spain. You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteGood for you--taking control of change. You raised a smart son. I'm glad he tells you what to do when he thinks he should. (I've no doubt you're capable of disagreeing with him when you think he shouldn't. :-))
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the Vintage Sweets series. I look forward to Immy's next appearance, too.
Thanks for the terrific and supportive comments.
ReplyDelete