I know many of you that are feeling just that...We made it.
It has been a really hard year for many.
I have watched friends hurt this year like I have never seen before.
I have watched friends lose a parent, bury a child, get layed off and struggle financially.
My heart has been broken many times knowing how much pain people have been in this year.
Gone are the years of being naive.
Some years this is what being an adult feels like.
But.... I have also watched babies be born,
marriages renewed,
friendships grow stronger,
businesses flourish,
creativity soar,
prayers answered,
hearts healed,
dreams being followed.
I have watched another year of my children grow up.
I have my parents.
I have been blessed with deep and real friendships.
I have been given a partner that loves me uncondidtionally.
We made it.
Through the good and the bad we are here at the end of the year ready to start another one.
Hopefully we are a little wiser, more forgiving, more compassionate, more appreciative.
The bad things do that to you.
They open your eyes to all that is good.
The hurt softens you and hopefully helps the good shine a little more.
I hope that if you have had a year of hurt that the good shines down on you this coming year and you see the world differently. Better. More beautiful.
I hope you let us build you up and love on you more.
I have loved having all of you in my life this year.
I can't wait to share a new year with you...the good and the bad.
We made it.
Amen my sister. Amen.
Happy New year.
Posted by: Jennifer Rizzo | December 30, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Oooh - I like this. From one "Glass half-full" girl to another, {clink}!
Posted by: Flower Patch Farmgirl | December 30, 2010 at 10:12 PM
All I could think was "Amen" before I even got to this comments page. Love to you,Jeanne.
~Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | December 30, 2010 at 10:24 PM
Amen! Amen! and AMEN!!
Loved this!
Much love to you and the next year, Jeanne!
Heather
Posted by: Heather | December 30, 2010 at 11:38 PM
God Bless You! Happy New Year!!
: )
Julie M.
Posted by: Julie M ~ The Little Red Shop | December 31, 2010 at 01:58 AM
Well said - I feel the same; this year has felt very 'grown up' to me with friends facing some very grown up issues that affect health and marriage and all that we stand for. But I have a good feeling about 2011...Lou cc
Posted by: LouBoo | December 31, 2010 at 04:12 AM
Happy New Year Jeanne! Meeting you was a wonderful time in 2010 for me... I hope that this coming year is a blessing to you and yours!
Hugs,
Mikal
Posted by: Mikal | December 31, 2010 at 05:39 AM
Happy New Year Jeanne! Amen....I tend to like having a positive outlook. I had a close friend loose her father in law the same day as a grandchild was born....in the same hospital. The grandpa was able to see the grandson....and then peacefully passed away. I think that is the true circle of life. Yes....the gradndchild became his namesake. Blessings~Hope
Posted by: Hope Ellington | December 31, 2010 at 05:46 AM
Beautifully said. I love you and pray that you and your precious family have a blessed new year!!
Posted by: mcm538 | December 31, 2010 at 06:27 AM
happy new year jeanne. beautiful post. can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for you. xo!
Posted by: Traci | December 31, 2010 at 06:56 AM
Oh wow...I love this post! It was a hard year...but after reading that I can say, 'I made it' and smile! :) Thanks. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Cassie | December 31, 2010 at 07:54 AM
What a lovely post. Hard year or not we all have a chance to start fresh with eyes towards positive change today. Thank you for sharing your world with us :)
Posted by: Sharon | December 31, 2010 at 08:09 AM
I love it...May your new year be one filled with peace, love, and happiness. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Amy | December 31, 2010 at 08:43 AM
Hey Doll,
"Happy New Year!"
Have A Fabulous 2011!
oxooxx,
Jessi
Posted by: scrappy jessi | December 31, 2010 at 09:01 AM
Amen sister...love these thoughts. Happy New Year to you!!
Posted by: Becky @ Farmgirl Paints | December 31, 2010 at 09:41 AM
What a lovely post, wish you all the best for the new year:)
Posted by: Camilla at home | December 31, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Sweet words that almost always hit home (and make me tear up!). Have a VERY Happy New Year Jeanne! I'll throw a snowball from my house to yours...Let me know if you get it ; ) ~Destiny
Posted by: Destiny | December 31, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Thank you so much for the perfect words to end the year. I feel so many of the same emotions as I end this year. It has been a rough one here as well. But I look forward to this upcoming year with hope. Thank you for always giving me a lovely place to go with your blog. I'm send you my very best wishes for a Happy New Year and a wonderful 2011!
~Christy
Posted by: ChristyXandrick | December 31, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Happy New Year to you!!
Posted by: kana | December 31, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Beautiful way to end one year and begin another...with the gifts of hope, faith, family and friends...
Posted by: Sarah/Brown Dog Studio | December 31, 2010 at 02:06 PM
so true.
this year has made me feel more adult than ever before....it's been challenging.
so glad we made it.
:)
Posted by: MEG DUERKSEN | December 31, 2010 at 02:38 PM
so true my friend
happy 2011 to you!!
xo
Posted by: paige | December 31, 2010 at 05:55 PM
love this, Jeanne. Happy New Year to you and yours. xo
Posted by: Julie | December 31, 2010 at 07:22 PM
Such a beautiful post, little one. Let's always remember this past year and all the gifts it brought...for me, your friendship was one of my favorite blessings! XOXOXO
Posted by: kathy | December 31, 2010 at 09:39 PM
Very true and very well put Jeanne. Hope this year brings good things.
Posted by: Robin Thomas | January 01, 2011 at 08:15 AM