7 Things I Learned in 2017

/ Jodi
  1.   I believe I married one of the smartest men in the universe.  Not only does he know everything about history and geography and science, he knows how to fix almost anything (with very few exceptions), and he innately wants to help everyone – from family and friends to strangers – by using his knowledge and skills.  We may not always agree on everything (like politics or what to watch on TV), but I think I have grown to love and admire him more this year than in all the 39 years of knowing him.
  2. Watching my oldest son become a father and watching  the love and adoration between him and his child grow is one of the most beautiful gifts a mom can receive.
  3. Watching my youngest son marry the love of his life and the joy she brings to him is all I could ever ask for.
  4. Spending time with my first daughter-in-law sharing our love of handmade crafting or our greater love of my first grandchild are some of my favorite times this year.
  5. Gaining a second daughter-in-law has expanded my heart even more than I could have imagined, and being welcomed into her family has been such an added bonus.
  6. There is no word (someone must come up with one) to express the indescribable joy felt when watching your first grandchild smile at you for the first time, reach her arms out to you when she sees you, and say “MahMaw” (Grandma) for the first time!
  7. Turning 55 (today!) isn’t so bad.   Getting to this stage of life has brought more blessings – more love – deeper relationships with family and friends –  than the disadvantages of  extra weight, extra sags, extra grays, and  extra wrinkles.

2017 was a pretty awesome year!  I encourage you to think of seven things you learned or loved in 2017.  I am sure there are many more than you realize.

Out of the 365 days…
or perhaps the 8, 760 hours….
maybe even the 525,600 minutes….
How do you measure a year?

I measure it in love.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

84 thoughts on “7 Things I Learned in 2017”

  6. Very beautiful and insightful post as always Jodi. Hopefully I will be able to look back 1 year from now with a more upbeat 2018. Luv Gary

    P.S. Forgot to wish you a eonderful 55th birthday. What a great way to end the year!

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  7. Just beautiful, Jodi–it brought ‘happy tears’ to my eyes! When you think of all that is good in our lives, a bit of saggy skin or extra weight is pretty small potatoes….it’s a pretty life, isn’t it?

    Thank you for this wonderful reminder, and Happy New Year to you and your family! 🙂

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    • Aww! 🙂 Thanks Jane! It is, and I have found that having this little blog makes me look at and consider things and put into words the things in my heart. It has been good for me. Saggy skin, extra weight and all! 🙂 Happy New Year to you and the Crankee Yankee!

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  13. Happy Birthday Jodi! My, you’re young! You must have started all of this at a young age – but obviously chose your mate well. 36 years for my husband and I, and we only knew each other 3 months before we eloped! The best moments so far for me have been watching the happiness and pride in my daughter’s face with her 3 year old daughter and 3-month old son. It’s the best. Great post! Happy New Year!

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  23. Happy, Happy Birthday to YOU!! You are at this moment the oldest you have ever been and the youngest that you will ever be again…an amazing thought. You are wise beyond your years, I’m still a work in progress. Measuring your minutes, hours, days and years in love is an excellent plan. “Love has no age, no limit; and no death.” – John Galsworthy. Thank-you for this beautiful post and LOVE the song! P.S. Celebrate this Old Year Birthday right into a Happy New Year!

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    • That is a very true point, Ellen. about being the oldest I’ve every been and youngest I’ll ever be again. Almost Dr. Seussian 🙂 Wise – not so sure – I too am a work in progress – but this little space here really helps me look at things that way I want to be. You always have the best quotes! That Love one! Is your brain just full of these wonderful tidbits? Love it!!! I love that song too – in fact – I watched Rent again yesterday after thinking about that. 🙂 Happy New Year my friend!

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      • I’ll try not to give in to my propensity for loquacity, giving you the “edited” version as my son usually requests. My love of quotes began as a child, a gift from my Father. I grew up with his reading from the 13th. Edition of “Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations” (also called The Centennial Edition) published in 1955. Thus began a lifelong fascination with quotes. My brain overflows with them and I have a small notebook that I jot down any new to me ones that catch my interest. I love to share quotes…if you haven’t noticed. I have often wished that I inherited that volume, but sadly I did not. P.S. The 18th Edition was published in 2012 and I do have that. P.P.S. Imagine if I hadn’t edited this?

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      • LOL! I love your comments! I’ve been known to bloviate a bit myself! 🙂 Sounds like an interesting book to have – do wish you would have inherited it also. Who got it?

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  24. Your friendship is a blessing to me! ❤️ I enjoyed reading all your wonderful highlights of your year, such JOY!! Hope your birthday and year ahead is filled with all the happiness and love you give so freely to others. And Happy New Year too! 🍷🍾🥂🎊🎁🌈💕

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  26. Jodi,

    This is so perfectly wonderful! So much to be grateful for, and so much love! As my second granddaughter just reached her arms up to me for the first time, the word I choose to describe it is this: “grandbabyhuggles.”

    They are precious and wonderful and life-affirming, and, best of all, THEY decide that they want to hug you! Best Christmas gift EVER!!!!

    Happy New Year!

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  27. Happy Birthday to you and Happy New Year too. What a beautiful list of things you are grateful for …. I wish you a 2018 that is filled with only good surprises, love, laughter, peace content and a few dreams come true along the way to add sparkle and glitter ✨ xx

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    • Thank you sweet Fiona! I wish the same for you. And we know it won’t all be good, so may we also wish for the grace to deal with the not so great and see the hidden blessings. Sprinkling glitter back!

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  31. You are so right! Once we take the time to list all the good things that happened to us and all that we learned in 2017, we realize that it was actually a pretty good year. Happy New Year, Jodi!
    And PS: Of course you married the smartest man in the world. He was smart enough to marry you, wasn’t he?

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