Some would say this is virtually impossible, but I digress. I don't mean "speechless" as in, I don't have anything to say. I mean "speechless" as I don't have a voice. At all. Nilch. Nada. Unless of course, you count the croak like squeak that comes out when I attempt to communicate verbally.
It started with a cough the day before New Years Eve. By nightime, I'd lost a majority of my voice. By the next day, it was completely gone. Today it's no better. I don't feel sick. Well, today I was really tired but then I realized the medicine I was taking contained an antihistamine wich was making be groggy, so that doesn't count.
To top this all off, I have an entire buttload of pictures to download from Christmas, but I can't because the program I used to download them wasn't put on the newer computer.
But it still hasn't put a damper on my day. It was seriously relaxing. When I wasn't napping, trying to sleep off the drugging effects of the antihistamine, I was playing some games with the kids (board and computer) and putting together jigsaw puzzles. In other words I really didn't do a thing. I'm breaking my own cardinal rule. The Christmas tree should be down by January 1st. Know what? I don't care.
The New Years Eve party was an absolute blast. There was a ton of food. My neighbor and I both made quite a bit. I love to do stuff like that. It was a nice group of people, many of them I didn't know and alot of kids.
There was even a huge bonfire. They do that here in Georgia. At least in our neck of the woods. I had forgotten just how good s'mores tasted. We did that as well. It was a bit difficult to communicate with no voice, but I managed quite well, and in spite of it all, enjoyed myself immensely. It was a little bit sad, not having Dick Clark there for the countdown, but the whole group converged upon my neighbors livingroom to watch the event anyway.
I look forward to 2005 with a passion. It's been a difficult year for us. My brother's major surgery, the destruction of my parent's house during one of the many hurricanes that came through, my diagnosis and ultimate hospitilization, my other brother's loss of employment. These are just a few things. But you know what? Life is good. I suspect it's only going to get better. As we go through the rough patches in our life, we gain strength, and our endurance grows by leaps and bounds.
It's easy to think that we are alone in our misery, but we don't have to look very far to see others that have it worse than us. I think of the Tsunami that hit Asia. My problems pale significantly when I compare them to that unthinkable tragedy I have yet to wrap my arms around.
This time of year I tend to look at all of the things I have in my life. I am blessed. I thank God for the children he gave me. For my husband. For my friends and the rest of my family. A great job. It's not hard to find the positives in life if you dig just a little bit.
So, here is my challenge for you. Let me know some of the things you are thankful for, even if it's something small. I look forward to reading about them. But right now, my children wish to sing to me using their new Karyoke machine. I'm thinking that's #1 on the priorities list right now. Dinner can wait.
Comments
oh yes...the Karyoke machine. We've got a new one here too, and it's provided me with hours of evesdropping entertainment when my son isn't aware i'm listening. Very cute to listen to them sing their hearts out! I'm thankful for my son....he's my precious angel. I'm also thankful for vision, hearing, fingers and toes. All it takes is to see what some people don't have to keep things in their proper perspective for me.
Happy New Years!
Posted by: suzanne at January 1, 2005 08:02 PM
G'day Moogie, what a lovely post, one of the best that I have read today x0x0x0x0. God bless you for sharing so much. Yes it is a sad time at the moment for all those lost souls and the survivors. I am listening to the radio at the moment, they are saying that over 130,000 have perished. It will take decades and decades to recover from this. I was in the supermarket the other day, I may have said this before, and I was immediately overcome with "guilt". I looked around the supermarket, shelves stocked with food, I had money in my pocket, I had food for my table, I had water to drink, I was able to shower, I had clothes for my back, and I had a job. These things we so take for granted at times, and at times of this great sadness, we tend to reflect on the good things in our lives and be ever so grateful for them. I am grateful for my health (that is the uppermost most important thing to me, I am unable to be anygood to anyone without my health), my family and precious friends, my freedom to be able to make choices in my life. 2005 is the year to "survive". I agree with you Moogie, we gain strength from our "bad patches" . When we struggle through the "bad patches", we sometimes think, "when will it ever end", but in 99% of the time, it does end, and we sit back and reflect and say to ourselves, "hey you are a survivor", this also enhances our strength in helping others through their "bad patches". As shown at the moment, with the out pouring of love and assistance for the people effected by the Tsunami. All cultures/creeds are joining together as one, maybe out of so much sadness, the world will be a closer place. (makes your heart break doesn't it) Power to you Moogie, have enjoyed sharing part of your life journey in 2004, look forward to sharing your jounrey in 2005. Take care, god bless xoxoxox
Posted by: vegemiterules at January 1, 2005 09:50 PM
Sorry to hear your voice has taken a "vacation" I hope that it returns soon. I, too, have really felt humbled by all of the tragedy that was caused by the earthquake and ensuing tsunami. I am most thankful for my children, that they are healthy and strong and for my husband, who is so supportive. We have had our fair share of bumps in the road this past year, but worked through them together. I am thankful for all of the people in my life that have been there for us and we them. Mostly, I am thankful to God for alllowing me one more year to spend with my family and friends.
Posted by: mrsrum at January 2, 2005 09:56 AM