And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
This is a popular and very well known extract from a poem by Minnie Haskins (pictured left), and it nicely encapsulates my thinking as 2013 draws to a close.
Life has had some serious 'ups and downs' during this year and I can only hope that 2014 will hold out some better prospects.
What has made the 'ups and downs' a bit smoother, and therefore more bearable though, is the support I've had from so many friends throughout the year! I don't think I would have coped without that support. Thank you so much!!
I've essentially been out of hospital for about a year too (since November last year) and at least there has been some positive progress. For instance, I've now come off my steroids and reduced some neuropathic pain medication. So, one of my targets for 2014, is a further reduction in medication that will help my brain function better! Hopefully, I won't be so drowsy or forgetful! These are just obvious 'targets' that I can 'plan' for to a degree - but I haven't got much of a clue what lies beyond that. Just this evening, my GP phoned me to say that because I'm diabetic, my cholesterol level is too high (7.4) and I will be required to take statins... More medication! I'm trying to reduce it!!
Anyway, hopefully, I'll be able to continue to play badminton on a weekly basis? And receive some more physio, again, on at least a weekly basis, with a possibility of more assistance (three times a week) for the next three months!
I'm also reminded that I'll be 50 next year(!) and Kim and I will have been married for 25 years (so a Silver Wedding Anniversary to celebrate too). We will need to plan something to celebrate these events fairly soon I expect!
I suppose my biggest target for 2014, is a return to the workplace, at Sanctuary Housing (in whatever capacity I can manage)... Initially, it will necessitate working from home, for sure - with a further target to be able to eventually drive to our local office (although this part of the target might, more realistically, be for 2015)...
As I look outward, beyond my own problems and restrictions etc., earlier today I heard and read with dismay, the Northern Ireland on-going dispute over "parades, emblems and flags" - what on earth is that all about? - I thought I had problems!! Well, at least I don't have to preside over that sort of political mess! But this seems to typify the fractured world in which we live - a world that seems devoid of 'hope'.
"What is hope? Some equate it as a fanciful wish. But the word explodes with confidence to believe in something greater than ourselves, and it is not found in science, medicine, government, or technology. It is a grand gift that does not drain us of life but infuses us with lasting benefits that spring forth from its seemingly veiled treasures." (Billy Graham - The Reason For My Hope).
At the beginning of 2014, I fully intend to “Go out into the darkness and put [my] hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to [me] better than light and safer than a known way.”
My hope and prayer is that you too, will have a very Happy New Year!
Please do visit my Blog every now and then to read what's going on - and be able to offer moral support with comments or messages - thanks, and God Bless...