It's a New Dawn, It's a New Day

As I looked out my back door on the last day of 2009 I was greeted by this beautiful sunrise. I just had to grab my camera and snap a few shots. It was the end of an unsettling decade -- one most are happy to see go. I thought to myself, "Yes, it's time for a new dawn, a new day...."

Nestled in my mail one day in December was the cover of Time Magazine with its bold, blunt headline: The Decade From Hell. I stared at the crying baby in the photo and thought, "They are absolutely right. The last ten years have been a mess." From the horrors of 9/11 through the financial meltdowns, it was not a pleasant ride. On top of society's nightmares, there were far too many dear ones lost in my family over the last few years.

People have been reflective these last few months. There is more thought about how we need to change, what our values should be, more focus on relationships and getting back to basics and less on fast lane living and materialism. Time magazine's subheading was "...and why the next one will be better." Amen to that!

Time for a change. As the Michael Buble song says:

Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life for me
And I'm feelin' good
I'm feelin' good

Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun, you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when the day is done, that's what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world for me
For me

Stars when you shine, you know how I feel
Scent of the pine, you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine and I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life.

Are you ready for a new dawn, a new day, a new life? My new year's resolutions have been written in my day planner pages, my attitude's been dusted off, and I'm ready to go.

It's a Wonderful Life!

Christmas Eve we attended the Candlelight Program at church. The service consisted of several congregational carols, musical performances, and an inspiring talk by the pastor. Then a flame was passed from one candle to the next, up one row and down another, until the church was lit with the beauty of all holding their candles high as we sang Silent Night and Joy To The World. It was beautiful!

This morning I am the first one up in my household. Some quiet time to reflect on our Christmas. Gifts to open from my daughters and far-away sisters. Smiles and sounds of delight with the unwrapping of each present. Cooking and setting the table and the flavors blending as we loaded our plates. Phone calls to family in other states. A new puzzle spread out on the card table while we reminisced. Warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream in the evening while we played games. It was a sweet Christmas.

Five days left of 2009. I looked at my new year's resolutions from last year -- I hit several, some were missed. Maybe the important ones were accomplished, though. The one relating to having more patience, for example. And while we strive to improve ourselves, our lives, our health, our homes, I need to remember to be thankful for what I have that is right in my life now. We've been blessed. It is a wonderful life.