A few days ago I start reflecting on the year that was coming to a close. 

Twenty thousand twenty-five was full of surprises, challenges, losses, and a new life. 

I’ve told the story of my family, my childhood, my relationship with my brothers.  No need to rehash that here, only to say, both my brother’s passed this year.

They died within four months of each other. Years of alcohol abuse and illness took them both too soon at 74 and 71. My only expression of emotion on their passing was a hope that they both are in a place now where they are totally healed…mentally and physically. 

It was a sobering feeling to realize I am the last one living from my nuclear family.  I was suddenly faced with the reality of my own mortality. 

I often used to say I was the most normal person in my family. Now that I’m 70, I hope I am also the healthiest and I have many more years ahead.  

On a happier note, after the loss, new life begins. After 8 years of marriage and dealing with so much illness and so many hospitalizations, our youngest son and his wife welcomed a baby boy into their lives.

Baby MC was due January 11, but decided he was going to be our 2025 surprise. Born healthy at 2am on December 27.  

I was blessed to be in the delivery room and cut his cord. A very strange feeling cutting through the dense fibrous tissue.   I needed reassurance that it caused no pain.  All it took was a few firm snips with what were very sharp scissors, it was done. 

Oh I wish I could show you a photo but parents request that no photos be posted online. He is gorgeous, with the most adorable little chipmunk cheeks. Ten fingers, ten toes and the cutest little nose. 

For three months I had been in the doldrums, but in an instant I was keenly reminded of the joys in life.  

The old pass away, but each birth brings hope for the future. It is the circle of life.  Years, months and days tick by but as each day ends, I fall asleep in anticipation and hope for the new day. 

My prayer for today is that the Lord grants me many more days and years to share and enjoy this little one as he grows into a young man. 

A Time for Everything

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—

A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.

     ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 NASB

Today I am dancing