2015 - A Year of Great Change

If you know me in person, you know that I am not very good at change. I’d like to say that I was once good at it, but the truth is that I need routine. I crave routine. I very nearly cannot function without routine, and if my plans are interrupted, I will adapt…but it may not be pretty.

I’d also like to say that I have learned how to adapt better over the years, and that I am always eager to try new things…I’d like to say that, but it would clearly be a lie. What I will say instead is that I am willing to put aside my schedule and preferences and try new things (much of the time), and I can generally keep smiling through just about anything (including clenched teeth). Through my clenched-teeth smile, I tell you the truth: 2015 has been quite challenging for me.

However, even with the change and interruption, there are lots of wonderful things going on in my Pretty Knitty Life…

Even though my boss died in July, and the church I work for and belong to lost its minister of 28 years, we now have several pastors in place, and the church is growing! People are coming to see what we are all about, and they are sticking around to learn more about Jesus!

And even though my dear daughter was divorced in October, she is doing well. And my son and daughter-in-law gave us another precious granddaughter this year, who will soon be a year old! In fact, if all goes according to plan, I will attend her first birthday party, and that’s a pretty great thing when the baby lives several states away!

And even though my job has changed drastically, from the way I record prayer requests to the way I sign correspondence, I have learned lots of new things! We have new software that really challenged me in the implementation process, but now that it is up and running, I am looking forward to getting all the right people plugged in to use that software and keep all of the staff on the same page!

And even though I have had strained and broken relationships, as we all do, I have continued to make and cultivate new friendships while maintaining contact with many long-time friends! These friends, old and new, near and far, have carried me through heartache, surgery, grief and confusion in 2015, and they have also celebrated joy with me. My life is enriched because we call each other “friend.”

So, yes. 2015 has been a challenging year. There has been much change, and I have often been stretched in my cope-and-deal skills, but overall I am coping and dealing fairly well. However, be warned: I plan to knit on New Year’s Eve, whether alone or with friends. If you try to change that plan, I may not cope and deal so well…

How has 2015 stretched you and made you grow?

Whatever your answer is, I hope that you are looking forward to 2016. I will be welcoming the new year with open arms, even if I have trouble writing it on my checks for the first 3-6 months! If I don’t see you before the ball drops tomorrow night, thanks for stopping by the blog and Happy New Year!

Oh! And Knit in Good Health!