I try to find things to thank the Lord for daily, sometimes it is for just keeping me warm and safe. 
Me, Christmas Eve
after mass home in pj's.
Somedays I am just as content that I do not have to go out in this cold. I keep busy inside and now as Epiphany arrives tomorrow, it will be time to begin to take down some of the holiday décor that I did get out so that it would not be dreary. I restrained myself because I do not like putting it away, that was a task Jerry always did so well. I didn't appreciate it as much then, it was just what he did. He always was more patient than me. How I miss that man. As I told him and as he believed I am doing OK, I am ok financially much as prices rise, etc. I'm not strapped. But the being alone for days with contact only of phone calls or texts is not fun. Never expected to be so solitary. It has been a challenge learning to live just with me. Warmer weather is better because I can be outside busy, digging, weeding, puttering. But the winter is when I resume domestic activities which I still do not relish, like polishing all the kitchen cabinets, a task I dragged out over a couple weeks this time. I remind myself to be glad and thankful that I have the strength and stamina to do all this still.
I did not intend to start my 2025 posts here with what is sounding like widow's lament. But I have and now I do not have enough time before getting ready for Saturday evening mass to ponder and edit. Saturday mass, sometimes it is the hilite of my social activity for the week.
So we mark another New Year, I have wished a happy one, automatically to many. I will try to make it so for me too.
