Here we are another year.  How did I spend my New Year?  My son had knee surgery on my 32nd birthday (12/28) so since he couldn't go out to enjoy our usual festivities with the family (we usually just go to my mother's or my in-laws house to chill, eat and toast while all the kids dance) I stayed at home with him and we watched the movie 1408 together.  My husband and daughter went to bring in the New Year with the family as is the custom. 

It was quiet in West Oakland.  I could actually count the number of gunshots fired at midnight on one hand, which is a rarity.  More fireworks than anything.

They say the way you bring in the New Year is a prelude of what is to come. My New Year celebration was very peaceful, comfortable, and loving. My son and I toasted some apple cider and joked around.  If this is a preview of what is to come in this New Year, then I must say that I am 100% looking forward to it. 

I pray that there were no casualties, no harm done, and no ill feelings that has spread in to your New Year.  I pray that we all are aware this year.  Aware of ourselves, our children, and the world. 

Please take a moment to reflect on what you have taught your young children up until now.  If you have ever cursed at your young children or called them ugly and hateful names, or inflicted any type of verbal, physical, emotional or mental abuse upon them please make it your New Years Resolution to stop it.  They are our future. They are here because you brought them here.  God blessed you with the gift of bringing life in to this crazy world.  Please love them, please hug them, please cherish the bond you have with your young children and honor it by only planting positive seeds.  When I see mothers or fathers yelling and cursing out their children in public, I cringe at what these babies must go through behind closed doors.  Please stop it. They didn't ask to be here. You brought them here.  And understand that all you teach them (and you are teaching them when you are ranting and raving) is what they will take with them in to their adult lives.  Teach them better than you were taught.  Show them the love that you didn't get.  Undo the vicious cycle in your family (if applicable). 

I am not the perfect mother, but I do strive to be. I've learned to think before I react. I've learned to stop before I go off and think of the outcome first and then reapproach.  I've learned that there is a way to love your children and discipline them without leaving emotional or physical scars.  I have a 13 year old son and a 3 year old daughter.  My goal is to protect them from falling hard, but to also let them fall just enough to learn the lesson.   

As far as life goes, I cry sometimes thinking about the mistakes I might have made in my past, but God tells me to cry no more.  Learn and improve, that is all I can do. If I learn then God knows I have listened.  I believe that is all God wants us to do is listen.

Maybe this blog isn't deep enough for you.  Maybe it is.  That is not my concern.  My concern is only to share with you about today. I hope your tomorrows are full of blessings and that you share those blessings with your children.

Happy New Year! Happy Life!

Danni