Once again a time to reflect; the family calendar

I put the family calendars in the mail yesterday. One sent to the Philippines; one to Iowa. Off to those I’ll not be seeing at Christmas in person this year. A few years ago, I wrote the following about these calendars:

I’ve spent some time this week putting together the family calendar - something I've done now since about 2004. Originally I created it in a calendar program and then printed it at a Kinkos on cardstock, but I now use Shutterfly. I've kept the same content formula - "scanned photos of long-gone relatives and baby pictures of my siblings and I are mixed with digital photos from family events from the past year."

Creating a calendar is a powerful form of reflection for me. The end of the year, familiar gatherings, new children and friends, and the loss of people who may have been a long part of my life, all put me in a bittersweet mood. We cannot, of course, stop the world from turning and would not want it to stop revolving even if we could. As much as I loved my children and grandchildren as babies, I love them even more now as adults, fast growing children, and adolescents. Some old and treasured traditions continued; some became impractical; and new ones were forged.

I expect Christmas 2016 will not be dissimilar because not only do those around us change, but we ourselves do as well: becoming wiser or more foolish, healthier or less abled, more giving or more selfish, and braver or more fearful. Opportunities will arise, as will disappointments. Most years I am lucky enough to find a book or take a trip that impacts my life and thinking in a very substantial, personal, permanent way. And I am happy for that.

The family calendar this year, I hope, fills the same purpose that it always has - to give my family members pleasant reminders of the previous year. My niece's growing family, my grandson’s marching band experiences, and a “who’s who” of cats in the family are among this year’s monthly topics.

Get to work on your calendar and your reflections. I need to start my other Christmas shopping!

As always, this has been a year of change for my family. We moved my 91-year-old mother into a senior care apartment. My grandson Miles earned his Eagle Scout rank. His brother got his first “real” job. My son is making plans to move back to Minnesota. I personally had a good year of travels with my friend Heidi, my son-in-law Aaron, and by myself. My daughter’s family and I honored our years-long tradition of getting together for a week in Minnesota and over Labor Day weekend. My buddy Cary and I took our weekly therapy walks and suppers. I personally had a surprising health condition that made me reflect on mortality and what I need to get done so that when I go to my great reward, my children will not be left with a mess.

When I look back on this year’s calendar in five or ten years, I am sure it will bring a smile to my heart. Luckily, I am one of those people who tend to remember the good more so than the bad. Here’s hoping that stays true.