End of the year.... already

 Well, here we are.  It is almost Christmas and almost the end of 2024.  I have been remiss in blogging since the middle of October.  Over the last 12 years that I have been writing this blog, that there are often these "dark" times when I just can't seem to get the words our of my brain and onto these "pages".  There is no big reason why this has happened this year.  For the most part, everyone has been healthy.  We have not had any big issues in my immediate family.  This is just something inside of me that has blocked me from sharing here.  These blogs have always been a way for me to have record of the year events, so I will go back to where I left off.  I want 2024 to be as complete as the previous 12 years!

The last Sunday in October has always been Trick or Treating at Gwen and Tim's house.  This year Grace and Jimmy got to come for this.  It was a nice fall day and the kids had so much fun. Best of all, Lia was home from college for the weekend, so we got to visit with her also.

This year Jimmy's preschool Halloween parade was on Thursday, so I got to see it.  Jimmy is the adorable Buzz Lightyear on the far right!  Later that day, we got to go to Grace's school parade.  While it wasn't blizzarding like last year, it was very cold and windy!   

Doug made it home in time to take the kids trick or treating.  It was a cold evening, but at least there was no snow on the ground this year!  Candy and fun were had by all!  I handed out candy at their door and this year there were plenty of kids looking for those treats!

November 1st is Lucas' birthday.  He would be ten years old this year.  It just doesn't seem possible that 10 years have gone by.  

As a family we gathered to remember Lucas and that always includes a trip to the cemetery.  Jimmy was happy to gather up some sticks (his favorite thing to play with) and we all walked around in the fallen leaves.  I am always struck by the beauty of this small, country cemetery.  Sadly, there are many of the very old trees that are needing to be removed.  The cycle of life and death is present even in the trees here.  It is still a wonderful place to come and honor Lucas' short life.  The passage of time seems to be so much more evident in this very old cemetery.  There are graves from the 1800's.  I am always thankful for the hope that our family has of the eternal life we have because of Jesus' sacrifice for us.  

Events like these certainly help mark the passage of time.  At seventy, I notice how quickly time seems to go by.  When I noticed that I hadn't blogged since October 19th, I was surprised!  To me, it seemed like just a couple weeks ago, when in fact, it was two months!  Here we are in the darkest time of the year, counting down the days until Christmas.  In spite of my delay, expect to read all about November in the next post!  We can't get to Christmas without Thanksgiving!

Jesus, I am reminded that you don't operate on the same timeline that we do.  I am so thankful that you forgive the times we make mistakes, don't follow through, or simply just mess things up.  Holy Spirit, give us courage to confess our wrongs and to forgive those who hurt us.  Help us to be gentle with those who struggle in this season.   Let us walk out in kindness and grace every day.  Amen