Roll the Credits at the End of 2025

 

In just a few days, it will be time to hang a new calendar. However, before I start thinking about goals and dreams for 2026, I will take a glance back at the past 12 months.

This will not be a summary of my medical records on Methodist Hospital’s “My Chart.” It will not be a review of home and vehicle repairs. And it will not be a balancing of how much money I spent on the aforementioned items in the past year.

It is not a comprehensive list, as there are more stories of friends, sadness over losses, and many, many more blessings.

Instead, it will be just a few celebration highlights that will leave me feeling joyful when I proofread this essay.

CELEBRATING GOD MOMENTS

There is no way to share all the times in the past year when God has blessed me, but the story of our church stands out as something I should share.

You might remember that Love United Methodist is a new church that began meeting in a member’s party barn and eventually moved to Lee College in Baytown. But I could not have an “end of the year” reflection without taking one more opportunity to share my gratitude and amazement that St. Paul’s Lutheran Church gifted our congregation with a church building. The link below is an article from the Baytown Sun. An interesting additional note – the journalist who wrote the article is now attending our church!

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church hands over the keys to the kingdom to Love United Methodist Church

CELEBRATING MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS

Several of our family members hit big numbers this year. A 50^th birthday cruise recognized a couple of them who are now eligible for AARP benefits.

And, believe it or not, three of our grandchildren reached the big THREE O while one reached the not-as-big THREE.

My NANA stories often begin with a recitation of the wide range of ages of my grandchildren. And with an expectation that hearers will respond with “you aren’t old enough to have grandchildren that old.”

CELEBRATING NEW FAMILY MEMBERS

We are very excited that our family of 17 is growing! Martin and I will have our first great-grandchild in April. And while you are oohing and awing at that news, Evan tells us that there is “a baby in Mama’s tummy,” meaning we will add another grandchild in June. We may need a bigger vacation house next year.

CELEBRATING LAUGHTER

At the beginning of the movie Monsters, Inc, the city of Monstropolis is powered by screams, but they discover that the power of laughter is even stronger. I agree.

Unlike the canisters of laughter power in that movie, in my world, there is no way to measure laughter accurately. But I have, on several occasions this year, laughed enough that breathing became an issue. Do people actually “die laughing?”

CELEBRATING TODAY

My therapist often reminds me that I need to spend a little more effort living in the present.

I am always ready to share stories of yesterday and I love planning for tomorrow. But right now, I am also remembering that today is a good.