This month I celebrate one year of my blog, “Lessons and Revelations”.

When I began, the blog was a way to share some of my challenging life experiences for readers to know they are not alone. Often, life experiences grab a hold of us and keep us stuck. As much as we want to move on, we can’t. Our emotional responses in these times may be contrary to what the world tells us we should feel. These are the reasons I write.

One of the best books I’ve read is called Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud. Recommended to me by my Bishop, it was the answer to my current state of uncertainty and transition. Written by a best-selling author, psychologist, and leadership coach, this book is a guide to ending what needs to end for one to have a life of growth and health.

I finished this book in a short period of time. Soon I began to see the situations in my life that needed to end. Quite frankly, it made my heart race.

The quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

As a tourism professional, I understand how to show hospitality from a professional point of view. I made a career of it for many years. Beginning as a front desk agent at a 4-diamond hotel, I became a sales manager for a convention center after years of work in the industry. On a personal level, my definition of hospitality was broader.

I hate moving.

In 10 years, I have moved to a new residence four times. Half of those moves are thanks to the itinerant system of the United Methodist Church.

Moving as we change church appointments is hard most times. I made it through with the support of clergy spouses who helped me to remain focused on the positive. I am also grateful to family who helped with physical labor when I had none to give.

In April, I tested positive for COVID and had symptoms that made me ill.

I was fatigued, suffered from headaches, body aches, and some days had difficulty breathing. Two mornings I awakened to soaked sheets and PJ’s.

I’m disgusted. Two mass shootings happened within days of each other in our nation in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas. In both incidents the shooter was armed with a military style weapon.

After the massacre at the grocery store in Buffalo, I was initially glad the police were able to apprehend the subject. Later, sadness kicked in as I saw pictures of the victims. Tears rolled down my cheeks

Recently, I participated in a major project at work. I was part of a team which included persons from other annual conferences in two states. Coming together for this project was my introduction to all these people.

To accomplish my assignment, I needed to work outside of my comfort zone. I told my boss I didn’t want to be a part of the team but that wasn’t an option. My boss and I were both given assignments to complete for the project

Swim class was the first bell class at the local high school many of my cousins attended in the late 1960’s early 1970’s.

Most of them wore a press and curl. A ritual on Saturday, hair was washed and dried then pressed and curled with a hot comb. Later before bed, the hair was rolled on pink sponge rollers. This process took hours.

Before Pinterest was on the scene, my Aunt Vern had a killer recipe for a peach dessert. This delicious treat with peaches, butter, and other stuff didn’t have a fancy name.

One year on summer vacation in Seattle, my cousins and I drove to Portland, Oregon to visit their mom, my Aunt Verna. While there, she made a meal complete with dessert. Feeding you was her love language.

These last few months have been hard. The lingering winter temperatures with the tease of a spring day messes with my emotions.

Five people I know have passed away and were directly or indirectly connected to me. Of the deceased, three of them were under the age of 60. I also know people living with health concerns that have a less than hopeful prognosis.

It was not easy to watch the confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Inhale. Exhale. Pause. Answer calmly.

This was my silent mantra as I watched this historic event on CNN in my living room.

This year I learned about Maus written by Art Spiegelman. Maus is a non-fiction depiction of the author as he interviews his father, a survivor of the Holocaust. I haven’t read Maus and know nothing about the author. Learning about Maus, I learned about the issue of banned books.

I am a part of a blended family. A blended family is defined as, “a family that includes children of a previous marriage of one spouse or both.” This was my first marriage and my husband’s second. From his first union he had two daughters.

One day when I arrived home from work, a song was in my head. I needed to hear it. I was alone so it was the perfect time to crank it up! The song was In the Stone by Earth, Wind, and Fire. A digital version was not desired. The sound of vinyl is what I yearned for. Thankful for my record collection, I found the album, I Am, and played side one.

This year, I watched the 44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors. This celebration is an annual event honoring individuals that have made a significant impact on American culture. The ceremonies include performances by selected artists. The artists interpret each honoree’s art, usually in song, dance, or spoken word, as a tribute.

This night, of all the performances, I was most moved by the tribute paid to Joni Mitchell. I did not grow up listening to Joni Mitchell’s music, but I knew of her.