Sweet 'Beginning's and 'Sorrowful' Endings

This year of 2017... has been a year of extreme highs and extreme lows. It has reminded me somewhat of a musical scale as there have been so many variations of emotions, moods, ups and downs, variations of atmosphere's while always trying to find the center... hoping to stay on course. There has been a 'Tearing of The Veil' in this year of 2017. We had to adjust our pitch while trying to find our harmony once again. We are resilient and resolute and we will move forward it is within us and without us to do so as we await the New Year...



Sun setting on 2017

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.'

1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

 

In January of each year we begin anew. We move forward. We look towards the future. Our vision is clear, new, fresh and clean as we embark on a new journey. We do not know what is to come...

Our lives, the people, the places, and the events and circumstances that surround us all unites us and binds us together. We are all intertwined within our small flocks and this is where we learn, we love, we nourish and we lean together. God made us that way. One of the cryptic sayings that I find so truthful is 'there is no I in TEAM' It applies all through our lives. We did not arrive in this world without a team. 'Father, Son, Holy Spirit...God, Father, Mother. We enter and exit as a member of a team, a flock, a united front, our village who knows us inside out. God in his infinite wisdom designed His world of humanity in such a way that we require a flock forever and always. So many times when writing, the word 'me or my' comes onto the page, when ' we or ours' is in truth the reality. We have never been just a 'me', but a 'we' always.

The reason I have written the above is to emphasize how intertwined within our flock we are. When one experiences joy, we experience joy too! When one experience's triumph's we too share that experience! When one embarks on a new journey we travel with them in spirit. When one celebrates we celebrate. When one is ill, we feel ill. When one is sad, we too are sad. When one experience's the loss of another, we too experience the loss. Emotion's, feelings, all characteristic's that abide within us.  

During this past year our family, our friends, our neighborhoods, our world have been challenged, tried and brought to the forefront.  There have been births, there has been extreme joy, there have been untimely deaths, and sorrow. There have been unexpected life changing health issues far from home, bringing challenges far and beyond the need for recovery. Having to relearn and to re find your way.  There have been the lingering declining illnesses' and the constant requirements and durability of the care giver. There has been loss of mind and spirit, questioning and trying to understand the why's and wherefores. There has been loss of jobs creating uncertainty and discontent and upheaval. There have been weddings, family gatherings, wonderful moments and memories made. New life, new love relationships formed, and expanded into unexpected life altering realities. Jobs offered, moves made, changes intermittently unexpectedly bringing resolve to problems. Amazing joyful news of babe's coming, of dreams hoped for and received with joy, while moving forward towards life goals. Gathering's of family and friends coming together as a team to provide support for a cause. Joining together in Thanksgiving...then once again waiting, sadness, sorrow and loss. Our flock has leaned on God's Strength, and courage, while relying on each other and others this year making the journey one step at a time.





Ronnie and Amanda Weaver, joyful Grandparents



Ben, Brittanie, Mason Weaver



MAWS CAUSE 
a SIDS foundation started in honor and remembrance of
Mason Archer Weaver 4 months old
 



Nancy Lewey Johnson, Jim Johnson, Jo Dee Johnson Molina, Rebecca Johnson White

JoDee Johnson Molina, Jim Johnson, Rebecca Johnson White, Mindy Johnson Pittman  



Blessed beyond measure, so thankful for more time given and the ability to recover, change lifestyle and look towards the future,  waiting to see what plans God has in mind for this 'Grand' Papa to be in the New Year!

Katie Johnson Wade, Andy Johnson, Drew Johnson



Brother's Andy Johnson, Jim Johnson

Michael Dewey Duffy July 2017 on his boat 'Irish Risky'
living life always. Son to Jimmy and Sandy, brother to Karen, Trisha, John,
beloved husband to Kyra,
Dad for Travis and Taylor
Simply the best to all the rest...

New Years Eve brings with it a finality as well an end. Some years the parting is bittersweet, causing us to want to cling to and hold on until the last second... but letting go and letting God is how this year must end and so it will. Heaven has taken in some of our flock this year and has blessed us with the knowledge that they are abiding within your keeping dear LORD...so we say thank you for your loving grace, and the peace of your keeping until we all meet again.

Closing with these words of an Irish song, it has spoken to our heart and our heritage...yes dear Michael even though we were not related by blood we now know for a certainty that we are related by heritage and that is a good thing.

The Parting Glass

The High Kings

Oh all the money that e'er I spent

I spent it in good company

And all the harm that e'er I've done

Alas, it was to none but me

And all I've done for want of wit

To memory now I can't recall

So fill to me the parting glass

Good night and joy be with you all

Oh all the comrades that e'er I've had

Are sorry for my going away

And all the sweethearts that e'er I've had

Would wish me one more day to stay

But since it falls unto my lot

That I should rise and you should not

I'll gently rise and I'll softly call

Good night and joy be with you all

Good night and joy be with you all