Year in Review

A fun thing to do, look back. On a year or era. Something we do at this time of every year. Not a bad thing really.

Here we are at the beginning of a new year. What did we accomplish in the previous year? What was our income and our expense and what taxes do we owe? Annual exercises required of us to maintain a free society; pay our taxes and move on.

But we also should look back on what we planned and how well those plans held up. Are we as far along in our career as we had hoped to be? How about those projects on the house we wanted to work on: the new furnace, or air conditioning, the revamped bath room, a new faucet or a new shower, or maybe the kitchen remodel. Did we get to those projects?  No? Why?

And the yard. Did we install the patio, lighting system and irrigation system we had wanted so badly last year? If not last year, perhaps this year?

But wait! How far have we gotten on the investment program for the kids’ education? Will we have enough to allow them to study where they want?  Will they get the education they want and need?

At the same time are we realistically preparing for retirement? Will our savings and investments carry us through? Along the way how much must we give up to make that all happen? I always wanted that convertible so I could feel the wind through my hair before the hair disappeared! But then the car disappeared, too, along with the hair, and the excitement of the experience.

What now? What must we prepare for?

Lots, really. Lots.

We look forward to our kids experiencing many of the same things we did. The challenges and the rewards. The high points to be sure, but also the low points. Don’t forget those; they are the tests that develop strengths we didn't know we had.

Like having their own kids, growing with them into fresh understanding of the life we live and the universe we inhabit. Like the lessons we need to teach those younger generations.

How do we become grandparents? How well do we morph into meaningful mentors for kids 50 and 60 years younger than we?  Maybe it isn't hard to do after all. It just takes being, and breathing. Deep breathing I suggest! Let it happen. Let it be.

Don’t get uptight. Relax. In fact that’s what I should have done way back at the beginning. Take a deep breath. Enjoy the moment. Think about the reality of my surroundings. Figure it out. Have confidence. It will all work out. Even the bad stuff will happen and it won’t kill us, usually! It makes us stronger.

And it makes us laugh. Belly laughs. Deep ho ho’s of relief and enjoyment. How silly we were to expect only the good. Bad keeps our good defined. We need both to survive with our intellect intact.

Look back certainly. But not with regret. Take a deep breath and look back in wonder. It prepares us for tomorrow. And the laughs.

January 2, 2014