Time to reflect before that old ball in Time Square ticks off another year. What have I learned this year?
1. Health is precious and I take it for granted.
2. People can be extraordinarily good. They just don’t get as much press as the bad apples.
3. My cubs, Yogi and Boo Boo are more competent and independent than I gave them credit for.
4. My husband is a very good listener. (I knew this already, but it’s great to be reminded.)
5. Divinity is a strange and mysterious candy which can only be achieved through many disastrous attempts.
6. The country of Guatemala struggled through a heinous thirty year civil war.
7. In spite of the problems, I am still very proud to be an American.
I wish you all a wonderful year ahead. Please share what you’ve learned, if you’d like. (
December contest ends when that ball drops in Time’s Square!)
Fiction 4 Writers and Readers 
Posted by Laurie on January 1, 2012 at 9:04 am
I have learned that sometimes it is the little things that count. What you consider to be a small gesture might make a big impact on somebody else.
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Posted by Suzan Michet on January 10, 2012 at 2:26 pm
I totally agree Laurie !
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Posted by Jane Squires on January 1, 2012 at 5:01 am
God is awesome even when things seem to continually fall apart around me.
Grandchildren are the greatest gift ever. I got one who turned 1 and a 2 month old and two others. Loving it.
When people fail you, God will pick you up and carry you until you get through the hurt.
Getting older means more pain in body.
I love my husband of 32 years more and more. Now we only have each other to lean on.
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Posted by dana mentink on January 1, 2012 at 12:15 am
I’m glad, Ben. Sounds like a good growing year for all of us! Happy New Year!
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Posted by Ben S. on December 31, 2011 at 10:46 pm
1. I learned that my wife and I could survive “empty nest syndrome” now that are youngest went away to college as well.
2. I learned that my kids have the skills to survive without us for long periods of time.
3. I learned that we have the skills to survive without them for long periods of time.
4. Living in Northern NJ, I learned that nature can really mystify us, having had a tornado and earthquake within a week, and a snowstorm in October causing huge branches and trees falling, taking with them power and cable lines.
5. During crises, people can do and actually do amazing things.
6. Its surprising how many friends step up to the plate when there is a crisis.
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Posted by Suzan Michet on December 31, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Such a good question, think I will need to ponder it for a while to get a complete answer, here’s what I can think of for now:
1. I learned a lot about the history of Liberia (which is not related to Nigeria or Libya, common mistakes), and it’s links with the U.S.
2. I learned that kids can change a lot over the course of a year, with consistency and care … one of my kindergarteners has changed so much it still makes my head spin.
3. Eventually every issue will be covered in a kindergarten class, whether you want to or not … be it faith, why we need to tell the teacher if we barf, why we can’t go nude at school, …
4. My son has a kinder heart than I give him credit for.
5. My daughter is going to be much more fashionable than I ever will.
6. Some people in my extended family will never really appreciate the real me, and I am the one that needs to be okay with this.
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Posted by dana mentink on January 1, 2012 at 12:15 am
It sounds like you had a good learning year, Suzan. Me too! Happy New Year.
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