Kindnesses Hanging on the Wall...

Well, it's that time of year again. Time to make New Year's Resolutions. Even if we don't mean to, I think most of us have a laundry list of things we would like to change in our lives. Some big changes, and some little changes, but changes nonetheless.

I have the same informal list of resolutions every year. And incredibly, I manage to keep most of them, too. For instance, last year, I resolved not to say but I digress in my blogs, and I was successful.

But, I digress...

This year is already off to a good start, for me, and there are lots of things that I have resolved to do. As always, I am digging through the closets and getting rid of things. I seem to do this every year, but this year is different: I need more space in my closets. Room for things that aren't here yet, but are coming soon.

And so, things that were “keepers” last year made it to the Goodwill pile this year. Things that seemed reparable last year, seem broken beyond repair and are going in the dumpster. Perspective, that is all that has changed.

I found some treasures when I was cleaning out the closet in my bedroom yesterday: watercolor drawings done by my daddy, many years ago. And I have resolved to re-frame them and hang them up on the walls, where they belong.

Daddy drew on his childhood experiences for his artistic endeavors, such as the traveling dry goods wagon he painted. It has always been one of my favorites, of all his works. There are some watercolor renderings of typical New England winter scenes, also from his memories.

In later years, he turned his skills to ink and colored pencil, drawing maps and Victorian houses. I remember the first house drawing that he gave me, for Christmas, many, many years ago. I was thrilled. We didn't have any decent art work on our walls because we were too busy feeding our kids and putting a roof over our heads. So, receiving a masterpiece, lovingly crafted just for me, was a real treat.

We used to open presents on Christmas Eve at my parents' home, and that is where I was when I opened the present and saw the drawing. And the next morning, when my parents arrived at our house for Christmas brunch, the drawing was hanging over the living room couch.

That was not lost on Daddy.

I remember that my brothers each received a drawing from Daddy that year, too. When my parents went to visit, later on in the year, the drawings had not yet made it up on a wall. And THAT was not lost on Daddy, either.

And so, another resolution this year is to appreciate that which people do for me, with love, and appreciate their efforts and time. Whatever kindnesses are sent to me, I will hang them up on the wall, right away, to look at and appreciate.

It always amazes me the things other people resolve to do each year. It reminds me of the old definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Of course, that is the definition of politics, too...

But, I digress...

One last resolution for me: I resolve to find the joy, laughter, and sunshine in each and every day that I am given. Someone else can stew over the darkness and negativity, I will bask in the sunshine, even if it is only in my head.

And in the pictures hanging on the walls...