Reflections on 2008

This holiday season is a time to reflect on the year that’s quickly drawing to a close. We started our third year in Greenwood serving at St. Mark UMC and I became the webmaster for the redesigned web page (http://www.stmarkgreenwood.com). Maintaining the web page continues to be enjoyable but I’ve been forced to re-learn html code.

 

We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our newest granddaughter. On Mother’s Day Emily told us she was pregnant and the due date was January 1. Bless her heart; Emily had a terrible first three and a half months of her pregnancy, being admitted to the hospital twice. Thankfully, after those first few months, she blossomed. The doctors have scheduled delivery for December 19 so we’re looking forward to celebrating Christmas with the newest member of our family.

 

The excitement over the coming of our new granddaughter has been tempered with the knowledge that this will be the last Christmas we have with my beloved mother-in-law. Before Thanksgiving she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has decided not to pursue any chemotherapy. I can hardly think about what the next few months will bring. Many people have horror stories about their mother-in-law but I can truthfully say that mine has been like a mother. Throughout my marriage, I have always known that she would do for me whatever I needed, just as my own mother would.

 

My mother-in-law has many interests and abilities. She has always been a voracious reader sharing books with family and friends. Her reading interests vary widely from mysteries to political intrigue to nonfiction. She has passed this love of reading to her children and through them to her grandchildren. We will all miss our literary discussions with her and future ones won’t be the same without her.