What a year. 2024 has proven to be a most significant year, and I can't recall a year where so many changes came my way. From the highest of highest of highs to the lowest of lows, 2024 was quite the year. Usually my year-end reflections highlight about 3 significant events, but this past year had quite a few more than the usual. I'll just go chronologically.
At the very beginning of the year, I was informed that the rental house I was living in was being sold, and that I would have to move. I had lived in this house for 10 years, and dearly loved it. Many Christmas open houses, 4th of July activities, laughter, and fun have taken place in this house. I had to begin sorting, purging, packing, etc, and that proved to be a monumental task. Thanks to a wintry blast of snow and ice, school was cancelled for several days, and that gave me more time to get done what needed to be done. I was finally able to find a place to move to, which was a one-bedroom apartment on the 3rd floor. It was all I could afford. The packing process took on a fever pitch when I realized that my new apartment was so small. I purged dramatically. I had to part with a lot of stuff, some items which broke my heart to part with. Everything else went to a storage unit. I had little help during the packing and sorting, but I had great help with the moving process. I shed a few tears as I said goodbye to this wonderful big old house. Right on the heels of my move, the next significant event took place.....
As I finished moving the last of my items to the new apartment, I took a fall and broke my leg. The ER showed no fracture in my leg and told me I could walk on it. The pain was unbearable. Ice, naproxen, tiger balm and rest helped, but however, I knew something was wrong, and insisted on an MRI. 2 weeks later, the MRI revealed a fracture on the upper part of the tibia, and I needed crutches/walker and a leg brace. I was also scheduled for a follow-up appointment in Wichita 6 weeks later. So here I was with a broken leg, using a walker, trying to unpack, and living in a non-ADA building. All the while I am thinking, "What if I need surgery? Have I damaged it further when I was initially told I could walk on it for 2 weeks?" To make a long story short, my appointment in Wichita revealed that the fracture had healed, and I could wean myself off of the walker and leg brace! God is good, and I thank Him for His healing. And while I was also not happy with my living arrangements, I had to give thanks to God for a place to live. Finally, finally, I could finish unpacking. I had been living with piles of boxes everywhere, as I couldn't do it all while I was injured.
During the course of my recovery, as I scooted around the school seeing to the needs of my students, I caught the eye of a fellow teacher. She was a 6th grade teacher. She encouraged me in the progress I was making, and made it a point to visit with me often. We committed to pray for each other and update each other on how God was answering our prayers. That led to our first date at a nearby ice cream shop, which led to more dates, which led to us being in a relationship, which has now led to us talking about getting married next year. At a time in my life at age 53, I had pretty much given up on ever being in a relationship, and was OK if I was single for the rest of my life. My thought was, "If God wants me to be in a relationship, He's going to have to make it crystal clear." Well, Julie was crystal clear. I've never gone this deep into a relationship before. The people in my circle are thrilled that I have a special lady in my life. We are keeping our relationship pure and Godly. We know how to be appropriate in our relationship, and we feel that we are honoring God. I haven't popped the question yet, but it should be soon. I have a few ideas, but I won't reveal them here. She reads my blog, LOL.
Fast-forward to July. The biggest trip I have ever taken in my life. My iconic trip to Manila, Philippines. Myself and a friend made the trip, which from start to finish took about 24 hours, give or take. There are some missionaries from our church who serve there, and it's been on my heart for a few years to finally visit and experience the ministry. I asked our missionary friends to involve me in what they were doing, and not just merely observe. They held me to that. I was able to see several aspects of the ministry, including leading a devotional (via interpreter) to a groups of kids in the basketball ministry, assisting in a few children's church sessions, collaborating with other teachers in the Christian school there, and sitting in on church planning meetings. My favorite thing was joining other children's ministry workers on different outreaches in Manila called Kidz Jam. We sang with the kids, told Bible stories, played games, and pretty much loved on them. The kids were pretty impressed with me, as they don't normally see tall, white guys who have facial hair, Hawaiian shirts, and a wide-brimmed hat. I could fill many, many pages with my many adventures, but that's basically it in a nutshell.
About halfway through the trip, things took a drastic turn. I received a call from home that my dad was in really bad shape and not expected to live. That's not the kind of news you want to receive ever, but especially when you're 8,000 miles away. I debated on ending my trip and coming home immediately, but I took a night to pray and seek God's will in this matter. Overnight, my dad rallied and began to show signs of improvement. Praise God. He wavered back and forth over the next few days, and by the time my trip was ending, he wasn't in the best of shape. He was in a hospice facility, It was only a matter of time. I was anxious to get home to see my dad, hoping that it wouldn't be too late. Flights got delayed due to bad weather. Frustrating. However, God was there, as my delayed flight delayed the next flight I was supposed to be on. I got home only a couple of hours later than the scheduled time. Julie picked me up from the airport, and we went straight to the hospice house, arriving about midnight. My dad was still hanging on, and conscious. He was able to see me and I was able to talk to him and tell him that I loved him. The next morning, he opened his eyes and was looking up toward the ceiling. His eyes weren't just merely open, his eyes were fixed on something. He was looking up at something. A few minutes later, his eyes closed. A few moments after that, he was gone. I was able to be holding his hand as he made that glorious transition from being in a horribly sick body to a reunion with Jesus and his loved ones. Since then, it's been a year of firsts. The first birthday I had where I didn't get to go see my dad. Thanksgiving. Christmas. It still hits me from time to time. When I see a picture of him, or when we talk about something silly he had said or done. The fact that he is no longer suffering brings us comfort. Oh yes, we miss him terribly, but we wouldn't wish him back into his miserable earthly existence for a moment. We know we'll see him again someday. In the meantime, we'll rejoice in his healthy, happy life in Heaven.
Later in the Fall, my mom had to be admitted to a nursing home, due to failing health. It's hard to watch your parents lose their independence, and the children have to meet the needs of the parents. I'm sure it's even harder for the parents to have to give up their homes, possessions, and live in a care facility. That is where she is today. We took Christmas to her last week, and we see her every weekend. She is slowly coming to terms with this new life, but it will take more time.
Well, if you have made it to the end, thanks for sticking with me and reading all about my adventures (and misadventures) of 2024. I only hope that 2025 is a better year. I don't know the future, but I know that God is there, He has seen it, and will give His grace and mercy when life happens. I pray that God will give you a prosperous and joyous new year. Thanks for reading, and God bless you!
