New Year, New Focus - One Little Word

Welcome 2018!

Well, here we are, a couple of days into the new year and I am knee-deep in getting my next box out for Dot To Dot Connections. I did most of the work just before the holidays so that I could sit back and just relax with family, but all of the last-minute details have to be taken care of before the box ships out this Friday.

This past year was one filled with grandkids, family and the beginning of my new business.
There were some difficult times, to be sure, but they were overshadowed by the good times, as is often the case.

The last holidays of the year, Thanksgiving and Christmas, were spent with family, which is pretty much my favorite way to spend any day. Carmelle, Chad and the kids came in for Thanksgiving and instead of squishing everyone into my tiny dining area, the weather cooperated and we had our feast outdoors in the backyard. Jordan fried a turkey for us, and I made all the trimmings.


One of the ladies from my Sunday School class joined us and it was such a nice time to remember all of our many blessings and enjoy each other's company.

For Christmas, all of Ron's kids and families were able to come to our house for the first time ever. I regret that I never got a photo of everyone, but I got a couple of so-so pictures of his kids.

This time it was too chilly to eat outdoors, so we just set up an extra table and enjoyed the meal crowded together.

There was plenty of food eaten, games played, "snowballs" thrown and new toys tested.

The day after Christmas, Ron, Dan and I headed to Georgia to meet up with Jana, Callie and their families for a few days.

We rented a wonderful Airbnb and once again enjoyed exchanging gifts, hiking, train rides and just being together.

The time together is always too short, but I am so grateful for any opportunity to be with family!

January 1st arrived quietly at our house. Along with it came a new focus for me, a new One Little Word to invite into my life this year. This year's word is "Gather". (This wonderful dough bowl was a gift from my dear friend, Debbie.)

In 2018, here are some of the areas I plan to focus on:

• gathering with friends, especially old friends that I have been missing 
• inviting people into my home (I have always felt a bit uncomfortable being the hostess, and it is something I really want to work on.)
• gathering the tools I need to become more organized (even if that means getting rid of things, too)
• gathering the materials for my business (supplies for my Connection Boxes, accounting paperwork, email addresses)
• gathering (and keeping on hand) ingredients for healthier food choices
• gathering flowers from a cutting bed I hope to plant this spring
• gathering and using veggies from my tiny garden

There are so many exciting things ahead and I have a tendency to try to take on more that I can handle sometimes, but most of the things listed above are things that I am already working on or things that I feel like I am really missing and willing to add, even if it means cutting back in another area. While I LOVE photography, I have generally spend so much time editing photos that I never get around to posting them. I've decided for this year, that I will edit only my very favorites and will post photos on here regardless of whether or not they have been edited. I have also decided to discontinue creating new Instagram challenges. I love taking a photo a day and will continue that practice, but I am going to use the prompts designed by Katrina Kennedy over at Capture Your 365. I'd love it if you joined me!

Dan

I am the youngest in my family--the little sister to three older brothers, David, Don and Dan. David lives in New York, Don lives in Georgia and Dan lives a couple hours south of me in a group home for men with mental disabilities.  Thursday was his birthday.  Ever since last March, Dan has been looking forward to March 2--the day he would turn 60 years old--and has excitedly shared his birthday wishes with all of us. I was so glad to be able to celebrate with him a few days ago!

Growing up with Dan, I was the sibling that was closest to him in age, so we have always been especially close.

My parents recognized that he had some learning difficulties when his major milestones such as walking and talking were delayed. As many parents before them and since, they began searching for a diagnosis, but after visiting various therapy centers and doctors, realized there would be no magical cure and instead settled into embracing both his strengths and weaknesses alike and providing him with plenty of love and support.

While he went to outpatient therapies, we both went to a regular kindergarten at our church and then started first grade at our neighborhood school together.

My parents made the decision to hold him back from starting first grade (long before that was a popular thing) so that he could begin with me and have an extra year for maturity. He struggled through first and second grade before enrolling in a special school in our city where he thrived.

Through the years, there have been many challenges and so many joys. Thursday, I was once again reminded of the many ways Dan has affected my life in a positive way.  He has a charismatic personality that never met a stranger. While he struggles with depression at times, most people would never know it. His challenges with motor control have made it impossible for him to swallow pills, so for years, he has chewed up the nasty medications that are needed, thinly disguised in a spoonful of apple sauce or pudding---without ever complaining. His teeth have slowly been eaten away by the these medications, but yet he chooses to make jokes about the medicine instead of really complaining.

He loves a pretty lady and can charm most anyone he meets. He also has a mischievous side and loves to hear stories about the his childhood mischief.

When Ron first met Dan, he was amazed at his music knowledge---he can name the title and artist of most any popular song since the 60's and has quite a collection of DVD's. While he loves a good ghost story or old police sitcom, history documentaries are some of his favorites and he can tell you random facts about tons of events in US history.

Dan is especially fascinated by ghosts and monsters, so for this birthday, I wanted to do something special for him--a whole set of Big Foot themed gifts.

My favorite and most labor-intensive gift was a quilt featuring Big Foot walking through the trees.

He told me that he was going to start using it instead of his LSU fleece blanket, so I am pretty sure he liked it.

He seemed especially touched by the dedication label I sewed onto the back.

When I think about Dan and the most important lessons he has taught me, I think it really boils down to this.

Dan doesn't see differences in others the way many of us do. He doesn't care about your race, your age or your abilities or disabilities.

Everyone is his friend and he treats everyone the same. He offers a greeting or thank-you to servers at restaurants, doctors, nurses, receptionists, social workers, teachers, gas station attendants and trash collectors, just hoping to brighten someone's day.

He will hold the door for you and help you carry things if you need it. While childlike in his understanding of some things, he is protective of the people he loves and is KIND to everyone.

While there are many who openly make fun of those who are different and think that those with different abilities are lesser in some way, I can't help but think that this world would be a much better place if it were filled with more Dan's.

I am the lucky one. He's a "light" for me.  He's my big brother and I am so proud of him!!