While most people take some time to look back at the year just past and write of its history, mostly recording accomplishments and great events. I however want to take a huge leap back into my past. Landing in a time and place where I remember the laughter and good times. I look at the time I was 5 years old, swimming in our backyard pool in Dallas, Texas. I can hear myself yelling from the slide, "Watch this!" over and over until mom or dad would watch me again, and again repeat the same trick my brother taught me. Face first down the water slide! I loved it when my dad would wait at the bottom of the slide and catch me as I hit the pool. He would quickly pull me under the water, then shoot me straight up to the sky! I always felt like I was flying for a moment before I came splashing down!
Why would this come to mind instead of cheering in the new year? Well, as the ball began to drop, everyone started to count down. 10, 9, 8.... For months prior to this moment I thought of how sweet it is going to be to be able to say "good bye" to 2010 with a great cheer. But my thoughts drifted to the memories of having to say good bye to my brother and my mother instead. My heart ached once again at the thought of not having any more chances to say "Happy New Year" to them. Once again I wished they were here. I realized that I miss them even more now.
I would like to dedicate this new year to them. I pray that relief from this grief will come soon. I have hope that it will. So for now I will continue to look back into my past and find only those happy memories of our times of laughter and adventures. I am ever so thankful that I have my father in my life and pray that our relationship continues to build and gain strength.
Blessings to you all. I pray you too find those wonderful family memories to bring you great joy in the new year.
