Do you believe in making New Year’s Resolutions?
Do you believe in making New Year’s Resolutions? I mean, for the most part, we humans fall into “same-old, same old.” Of course I should resolve to exercise more especially since I am well into being a “senior citizen” now, I should eat healthier – O yes, I do eat fruits and veggies, but there are those moments when my lust for a truck filled with BBQ ribs more than equals the hormone induced reactions that my body had to various female rock stars in my teen years. (and who they are/ were are NONE of your business!)
I could promise that this year I intend to spend more down time with Abby as we try to make her now cancer filled journey last as long as possible but without unnecessary pain or chemicals that would steal from her the enthusiasm and joy that comes from being a dog. And indeed I will.
I might promise to try to be more patient – and this is proving to be a real challenge. I can now begin to understand why my dad (cranky at the best of times) was so pushed to the limits by human stupidity. (So if I fail, be prepared, in the best Clint Eastwood tradition, to hear me yell at you: “get off my lawn!!!” (cf. film: "Gran Torino")
Associated with the above, I can now become more forgiving of dad since I see myself becoming my father’s son at this same time in life.
This may sound silly, but I may promise to stop reading all papers, books and texts as if I were preparing for some exam. I read everything with a yellow under liner – which drives my significant other crazy. Now is the time to begin to just read for learning or read for enjoyment but just read!
Perhaps I might try to spend more time with family – especially my extended family – since we know not how much time any of us will have. Or maybe and finally, I shall promise to take a breath, worry less about how I feel or how busy I am or am not, and just enjoy my time with whomever is present, and view that the person to whom I am speaking is, for me at this moment, a person God has put into my life. Listen to him/her. Be loving and understanding and make this year a time for increase in faith, hope and especially love.
Fr. Joe