As usual I am a little late to the party! I had not heard of Reverb 2011 until today on my friend Anna's blog, Be healthy, well & inspired. The Daily Prompts are for the month of December. Since I am starting a little late I will enter all my posts through today December 11th. Please visit Carolyn Rubenstein's Blog for additional information on this activity.
DAILY PROMPTS
1. One Word
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| El Morro Puerto Rico Image via Wikipedia |
(Author: Gwen Bell)
Gratitude would be the word I will choose. On December 1st my son called and spoke to my husband. He is in the Navy EOD and we hadn't seen each other in 6 years. He wanted me to go with him to a family reunion in Puerto Rico on December 2nd! I had been praying about going on this trip for months. I wanted to go so badly. It was also my Aunt's 82nd birthday and her and my Uncle's 60th wedding Anniversary party. At the time I didn't know that my husband and my son were discussing this trip. I had been so sad that I wasn't going to be able to go. However, I kept praying for something to happen. The party was on December 4th and I still didn't even have an airline ticket! I finally got the go ahead and purchased the ticket at 8:30 that night, leaving the following day! I thank God in Heaven for making this happen. There are too many circumstances to discuss, but this trip was truly a miracle!
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| Nicole, Debi, Uncle Abe, Titi Chelo, Me and Chris |
The word I would choose for 2012 would be Freedom. For the past 3 years I have been not working due to an illness. So I am hopeful as God answered my prayers this past week, if it is His will, He will grant me the freedom from this illness so that I can return to work.
2. Writing
What piece of writing are you most proud of from 2011? How does this piece differ from your other pieces?
I feel that my greatest work has yet to be written!
3. Year in Review
As you reflect back on the happenings of 2011, what were your high points and what were your low points? What do you notice as you look back on the year as a whole?
My high points were when I felt loved and cherished by my husband. I am grateful for those days even if few and far between. Another high point was finding the Neurologist at the University of Washington who knew what my condition was and how to manage it. Living close to my son and daughter-in-law and our sweet granddaughters. They keep a smile on my face and laughter in our home. The joy when I received the call from my son and the return to happiness that I could hear in his voice when he spoke.
The low points were when I was too sick to get out of bed and wishing I was back to normal. The moments when I was grieving the loss of the person I used to be and the things I used to be able to do. But those feelings are short lived. I always try to focus on the 90% good instead of focusing on the mere 10% of not so great that happens during one's day!
4. Beauty
As I get older I am more accepting of the changes that I am noticing about my body. I am embracing the little smile lines that I am seeing. That means that I have smiled more in my lifetime than frown! I notice the beauty around me more, the new blooms in my garden, the birds and butterflies that roam our yard, the happiness of our pets when they see us, the innocence of our granddaughters and their sweet giggles is beauty to me.
5. Reading
I normally love reading mysteries and romance titles. I have read a few books this year but I had the pleasure of reviewing a children's book recently. The author's message is so important.
"My Feelings are Hungry" by Ava Parnass is a book I would recommend to anyone with children. I wish I had had this book when I was raising my children. You can read more about this book on my blog.
6. Ease
What can you do to add ease to 2012?
The best thing I can do is to have faith. Faith that the upcoming year is going to be a great one, that my year will not be defined around my illness and what I can't do but of the blessings God will grant of me and for me.
7. Giving
“The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” (David Viscott) What is your gift to give? One of my gifts is to share with others. Now that our granddaughters are getting a little older I want to share with them some of the things I learned from my grandmother and mother.
8. Limits
We often learn about our limits the hard way. Were there any limits you realized this past year? Alternately, what self-imposed limits were you able to move beyond this year?
There were physical limits. However, I learned to get around them! The self imposed limits that I overcame was realizing that despite the limits given to us, miracles do happen!
We often learn about our limits the hard way. Were there any limits you realized this past year? Alternately, what self-imposed limits were you able to move beyond this year?
There were physical limits. However, I learned to get around them! The self imposed limits that I overcame was realizing that despite the limits given to us, miracles do happen!
9. Superpower
If you were a superhero, what would your power be?I would love to be Tinker Bell, there is something about Fairy Dust that I love so much more than dust bunnies!
10. Soul Food
How do you nourish your soul? What activities are essential nutrients for your soul’s well-being?
Spending time with my family and quietly thanking God each morning. The best gift in life is when you recognize all the blessings that surround you!
11. Anticipation
What is the one thing that you are most looking forward to in 2012?I am looking forward to spending more time with my children, family, friends and be able to travel more. To be the person God wants me to be.
