What a Difference a Year Makes

Dear Reader:

A year ago today I left my house to spend New Year’s with John and Mandy so I would be there to keep Eva Cate when everyone returned to work the day after New Year’s… except for students who had an extra day of vacation. Little did I know when I left that Sunday that I would not return for almost a week.

I had stopped by Hutchinson Square on the way out because it looked so beautiful…all the trees lit with white lights. Eloise was due at any time and I had a strong feeling, leaving, that it was sooner than later. (Actually it would be later that evening!)

Cindy Ashley had sent me some quotes by Mary Oliver (a favorite poet) because she knew my Word of the Year has always been LISTEN (and still is for 2019) and this is a good quote to remember.

My thoughts went to my latest granddaughter about to be born…she would be breathing a lot in order to make her appearance in the world and I had a feeling she would always be bigger than life. She is….such a happy baby. Photos of Eloise when she was born and Eloise today….her first birthday! Happy Birthday Eloise…(I think Eloise already knows the answer to this other question by Mary Oliver…Eloise will live an adventuresome life!)

I ask you again: if you have not been enchanted by
this adventure-your life-what would do for you?

Walsh said it was the perfect ending to their family now….Rutledge arrived on Father’s Day, Lachlan on St. Patrick’s Day, and Eloise on New Year’s Eve. Already they are all part of life’s benchmark celebrations for everyone….happiness and joy.

On January 2 when Eloise was to leave the hospital the snowstorm hit the coast and what a beautiful storm it was….the boys were snowed in with us at John and Mandy’s home while Mollie and Eloise remained at the hospital.

Walsh would eventually be able to get the whole family home but it was a pretty terrifying drive…. once home, however, it was a memory for the ages…just like seeing my home again in such an unusual surrounding….snow!

What wonderful memories! And now here we are on New Year’s Eve 2018 and we have a chance of breaking a record for the warmest New Year’s Eve and Day in a long time….forecast – 78 degrees. Wow…unbelievable!

Cold and hot, up and down…life is never at a standstill….and like Mary Oliver pointed out…if we make our lives into great adventures we had better take a deep breath, breathe in, breathe out…and attack life with gusto.

So until tomorrow…Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing at all.”  Let’s make the most of 2019…keeping our eyes open for all the God Winks that surround us in our daily lives, keeping our ears open for God’s voice guiding us, and our hearts open to willingly follow the adventuresome path!

How time has flown Eloise! I can’t believe you are a year old today. What an exciting first year you have had and Boo Boo hopes that 2019 keeps her in good walking/running condition to keep up with you now…and a car to come see you more.

 

 

I love you Eloise….”Loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will.” Love, Boo

  • Walsh just sent this picture taken this morning on her official birthday…Walsh, Mollie, and family are joining friends in the mountains to bring in the New Year…so happy Eloise looks like she is over her little bug she had at Christmas time. Happy Birthday Eloise!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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10 Responses to What a Difference a Year Makes

  1. Jo Dufford says:

    Eloise is so beautiful and always smiling. She could be the best Gerber baby ever, or maybe they don’t have Gerber products anymore? So glad your foot is getting better and that you have wheels. My wish for you for the rapidly upcoming new year is to be able to say, “Look out folks, Becky is on the move again, and she has new wheels too!” My wish is also that your foot will completely heal, and you and yours will have a blessed 2019.

    • Becky Dingle says:

      Thank you Jo! I have already been so blessed…beyond measure that everything else is now just icing on the cake….but I sure do love icing, don’t you? So here’s to 2019 and lots of icing and lots of love. Happy New Year friend!

  2. Honey Burrell says:

    Oh how beautiful and joyful Eloise is! Her beautiful little spirit shines through every inch of her body. Have a Happy New Year!
    My prayer for you in the new year is many blessings. I send this woh love.❤️

    • Becky Dingle says:

      Thank you Honey and the same back for you….2019…wow…it’s hard to believe isn’t it? But this year…with a new foot “wheel” and a car wheels I hope we will be able to take many more adventures together! Happy New Year dear friend of mine!

  3. bcparkison says:

    Happy New Year Becky!

  4. Becky Dingle says:

    Happy New Year Beverly….I think it is going to be a wonderful one for all of us!

  5. Your grandmother’s heart is showing. How we love them so much! Hope the healing continues and more joyful moments with your family to share with those of us who enjoy reading of them.

  6. Gin-g Edwards says:

    She is a cutie pie….

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