GOOD BYE 2025

 

When I heard the pastor say that yesterday was the last Sunday of 2025 I couldn't believe my ears. Where did the days go?

And my heart still wells up with gratitude.

Thanking God for a good year and most importantly good health. And that my loved ones are around and are loved, blessed and protected by Him.

I do not take anything for granted. I am thankful for basic necessities like food on the table, clothes on my back, a warm home and diesel for my car.  Even waking up each day to four degrees C is a blessing. 

Surrounded by a precious handful of good friends is priceless. Not to talk about others or engage in meaningless chatter but to bond and to share heart talk and things that matter. Some good friends have returned to their home countries. But  it still feels like they have never left  when we connect via WhatsApp or when they visit Ireland again.

I like to reflect.

 I'm amazed that I'm finally liberated from the fear of the deep end of the pool. Believe me, I thought that would never happen. And swimming is something that I enjoy, effortlessly. I still whisper a prayer of protection every time I step into the pool because again I do not take things for granted.

We have not stop travelling. It takes effort to book tickets, to pack and to unpack, to find out about bus and rail times and the list goes on. A conscious effort to see the world and experience things beyond our comfort zone. Plenty of happy memories and very invigorating.

I am happy to say that I still enjoy learning Irish. It is the company and the teacher that make going for classes enjoyable. I'm proud that I won the Irish language competition, spent a week (full immersion in the Irish language) at a Gaeltach in Spiddal, went to Belfast for the Oireachtas and was on air (Scariff Bay Radio) talking in Irish. Not perfect but I'm happy that I tried.

On the home front, I'm thankful that we had a Chinese wedding celebration for Audrey and Luis in Malaysia and Sonya finally received the keys to her new house in Galway.

God has always been very faithful to those who love Him. What I sowed in Spring, I reaped a plentiful harvest in Autumn. I daresay that I  have not bought onions for the last six months and I have plenty of kimchi and pickles. 

I find great delight this year in water colours. What  I like is the limited control that I have because the paints and brushes have a mind of their own. 

I have also reignited my passion for crochet and diamond bead painting. The best part is I can bless others with what I create.

So as 2025 comes to an end "I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the watchtower; And I will keep watch to see what He will say to me." (Habakkuk 2:1)

I know God is in charge. For that I am at peace.