Here Ends Another Year

"Here ends another day, during which I have had eyes, ears, hands and the great world around me. Tomorrow begins another day. Why am I allowed two?"

-- G. K. Chesterton

My husband has this quote as the title line for his blog. I love that quote, too! (OK I love my husband as well!) Anyway, it seems like a good ringing-out-the-old-year paraphrase.

What blessings were part of your last year? I see that sometimes, even things we DON'T have are corollaries to things we DO have. I know I just said that in my last post, but it's still on my mind. I want to take the thought with me into the next year.

For example, yesterday our water heater died for good! We are living with cold water only, and will be until the plumber is back on duty after the holidays. Our dryer died during the summer and is still out of action.

But just think of the 99.9 percent of people throughout history who didn't have hot running water or an automatic dryer at ALL, ever. It is not so bad either, boiling water on the stove to wash dishes or hanging up laundry on the loft. Imagine how thrilling it will be to have these things replaced. Our dishwasher went unreplaced for three years after it died. We learned to live fine without it, and we still feel grateful every time we stuff the dishes in and push a couple of buttons. It is like magic!

A few years ago there was a huge New Years blizzard up in our mountain area. The power lines went down and it was a week before the electric company, working night and day, could restore them. We lived with candles and one dim kerosene lamp, huddled next to our wood stove for warmth, and yes, we had a battery-operated radio. And LOTS of blankets, and we got out the games and books and made up our own games and stories. Electric power is wonderful, and we don't NEED it for happiness.

In Jubilee Year, when Y2K was coming in, our infant was in the hospital and we were in San Francisco. Not where we would exactly have chosen to be, but it turned out fine.

This is a bit Pollyannish, isn't it? I realize even our family's bad moments are much easier than many peoples' most luxurious moments. But that is not quite the point, because the point is about interiority, not outside external circumstances. Honestly, gratitude is a precursor to joy, and that is my point. Often I make myself vexed, frustrated or anxious because I'm taking things for granted, expecting even MORE or worrying that these things will be taken away. You know the Gospel message about that.

But also, Chesterton is great reading for those moments! He says it so well.

Aidan also teaches me a lot about joy and gratitude! And grace! Here he is happy because his Daddy and Mom are walking him to the post office and back in his "purple stroller"! (wheelchair for limited mobility). Here are some quotes that I could imagine him writing if he were older and more articulate, because it seems to sum up the intensity and joy with which he lives even through pain and physical and other limitations.

HAVE A JOYFUL 2007, wherever you are!