Back to the Daily Grind...

The crazy rush of the holidays are over. Time to get back on a regular schedule and eat healthier meals Over this past weekend, I was asked many times what my New Year's resolution is... I don't make them, never have. I think I should be living my life to the fullest, and being my best, period. I don't need to say on the first day of a New Year how I intend to change. If I need to change, I should have done so already. That being said... I do realize there are some things in my life that do need to change. It wasn't New Year's Eve that opened my eyes, it was just timing. I will admit, I'm not a huge fan of any holiday in which I am alone. Everything is constantly changing, it's up to me to decide how I am going to accept the change, and what I am going to do with it. There was a very tragic accident in Clay County right in the middle of the holidays. Two Sandy Creek students lost their lives, brother and sister. I was at Sandy Creek the following day to cover basketball, my heart was completely broken. I just can't imagine, not put together the right words of comfort. From everything I have heard of these two children, they were great kids, great students and loved by many. I pray for all of you that knew them well. Back to the point of this column. I was feeling sad to begin with, then New Year's Eve came and I sat home alone. Did that make me come up with a resolution? No. I saw pictures on Facebook of my brother and his wife enjoying time with family. My siblings and I are pretty spread apart. We don't see each other often. My brother, however, is just in Sioux City, not that far away. He's asked me to come visit before, I guess I just never had or made the time. New Year's Day I got together with some girlfriends of mine, and we went to see the movie "Sisters". By the end of the movie I decided I needed to go visit my brother. Why sit around moping and counting down the hours until the day is over? Go, have fun, get out of town! Saturday morning, I did just that. I packed a bag and took off for Sioux City. It was not a bad drive. His wife's family was in town (I had met them all at the wedding and enjoyed their company). They welcomed me with open arms and smiling faces. The hurt my heart was feeling had begun to ease. We spent some time at a local brewery, then went back to their house, and played some games. It was a house full, and it was noisy. It was also so much fun. I laughed until my cheeks hurt. I put aside my struggles and I enjoyed myself. It's always so great to see my family and spend time with them. That needs to happen more often. Call it a resolution, if you will. To me, it's more a realization, a desire to change. Making the time and the effort to surround myself with those I love, and who love me in return. It's time to slow down a bit, stop making excuses. Why not do everything you can to be happy? Life can be a heartbreaking struggle. When the heartbreak hits, feel it, learn from it, don't get stuck in it. Easier said than done, but truly nothing good comes from being stuck and lost in heartache. Life can also be beautiful and amazing. Most of the time you have to look for the beauty, but it is there. That's what I want. It's also what I want for my kids... Here's to 2016...