When I woke up this morning, I started praying.
Not because I’m particularly saintly; it’s just a habit that began back…well, I guess back when the Junior Halls got their licenses. There is something terrifying about a sixteen-year-old behind the wheel. But that’s probably more of a mom thing–I don’t remember Mister Man being very worried–and also because this mom flunked her driving test when she was sixteen and this mom taught her kids to drive. So yeah, lots of prayers were needed.
Anyway, the Junior Halls are well past sixteen now but I’m in the habit of praying before my feet hit the floor. Also, truth be told, I need about ten minutes to ease into the day and praying is just about the best way I can think of to ease into a day. And this morning, I thought about it being New Year’s Eve…the last day of 2019, of the decade, for cryin’ out loud.
Of course, I started with my usual prayers of driving safety for those kids because who knows where they’ll be or what they’ll be doing and NYE can get pretty crazy out there. But then I moved on to all that I was thankful for this year and honestly, it’s not like there was anything stupendous on the list.
No book contracts, no shiny new cars. No lottery wins or hunky dates. Mostly what I got this year was a little peace, a return of joy, and a lot of love. (Remember when I wrote about my words for the year, way back in January?)
Peace. Joy. Love. That’s what I thought about, praying this morning. And now that I think about it again, I feel like I may have been wrong. Everything on that list was pretty darn stupendous after all.
(Happy New Year’s, y’all, and may your 2020–and mine!–be filled with peace, joy, and love! Oh! And for my writer friends, may your writing be filled with sheep! But not the kind you count to sleep. You’ll have to read “Think Sheep! Taking Your Writing Beyond the Expected” over at The Muffin to make sense of that New Year’s tip!)
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
Prayer is a perfect way to start every morning and end the year & begin the year. I prayed with my girl at midnight as she will be graduating from high school this year. We don’t know what the future will bring 😛 Happy writing to you in 2020!
Happy New Year, Cathy! I start the day with prayers too and I think that helps a lot with feeling peace, joy and love. I hope your year is filled with blessings. And laughter, lots of laughter:)
Blessings and laughter–I’ll take that, Anita! ♥
Oh, prayers at midnight on NYE is a wonderful way to start a new year, Tina! Best of luck to your daughter–that senior year is the best of times and kinda the scariest of times, too!
Cathy–Do you really have something special for us over at The Muffin? I mean, you wouldn’t be trying to pull the wool over our eyes, would you? (I couldn’t resist.) Of course you’ve cooked up something special over there. Your posts are always inspiring and down-to-earth and usually funny.
Cathy, you have people all over the place who love you… people who have never met you, but know you through your writing. Some day, you’ll come to Missouri or I’ll come to Georgia, and we’ll have some laughs.
Until then, have a wonderful year. 2020 is going to be a fabulous year for both of us.
I love the way you think, Sioux! It WILL be a fabulous year and watch out ’cause I just might end up in Missouri in 2020!
I would lovelovelovelovelove that!
You little pun maker, you! Thanks to your Muffin Post I have thought of a new way to revise a story that has been getting no traction from editors. Surprise IS the key element. You always make me smile.
You make me smile, too, Linda. So…when you sell that story, do I get a commission? 🙂
What better way to create a positive mind-set than starting the day with prayer? Thanks for another inspiring post. Happy New Year, Cathy!