Kim's Thoughts
Just a few thoughts I feel worthy of jotting down!
2014
Funny…..when I was a child, and even as a young adult, the thought of a year that had anything but a “19” at the beginning of it seemed so futuristic to me! When I started working and would see my SS statements showing a retirement year of “2021” I laughed and laughed and then thought, “Oh, my, that is soooooo far away, I’ll never make it!” – even though it was only about 50 years off – at that young age, it seemed like an absurd amount of time! That projected year was, of course, based on a retirement age of 65…..thanks to early retirement and having all the stars aligned for me, I didn’t have to wait that long, but retiring in 2011 would have still seemed terribly far fetched back when I first entered the workforce.
So, I sit here this morning wishing everyone a happy new year and thinking how bazaar it feels to be welcoming in the year 2014! But, alas, it is indeed 2014! And, as surprising as it would be to my younger self, I am not the decrepit old geezer that I envisioned I’d be “if” I ever made it to actually see years beginning with something other than a “19”! HA!
Looking back over 2013, I have mostly fond memories and great adventures to carry forward with me into 2014. I took two wonderful trips – one to Arizona and one to Cooperstown, NY – both were amazing times and I saw and experienced so much. I was blessed that they finally discovered why my Mom had been so very ill for so long and a very scary major surgery got her back on her feet. We were able to share a lot of great times after she finally started feeling better and for that I am eternally grateful! My brother had open heart surgery and another surgery to repair a hernia caused by the weakened muscles around his heart, but he, too, is doing better. I had several little mini adventures and enjoyed every one of them! And, I ended the year with my family gathered for Christmas Eve dinner at my home and another lovely dinner with dear friends the evening before New Year’s Eve. All in all, I think 2013 was a good year – despite the rocky beginning that held medical issues for my family.
So, now, on to 2014! I did not do a resolution list – I never keep them, so why bother! But, I did promise myself to laugh more, smile more, and take each day as a gift to treasure! I will continue to find the adventure in everything I do and everywhere I go. I still have several things on my “Things to do and places to go” list and I keep adding more to it as I go, so there will be no shortage of ideas for grand adventures and wonderful explorations! I vow to make the most of 2014 and include family and friends as much as I possibly can! This will be a great year – I just know it!
I wish everyone reading this a very happy, healthy, and prosperous new year! May 2014 be your best year, yet!
Kim's Thoughts 
Good Morning Kim,
Let the year begin! I am ready for all those mini-adventures and any major ones that come my way. My to do list keeps getting longer.
Tom The Backroads Traveller