Whew, we made it to 2013. It was nip and tuck there for awhile—the year 2000 and the Y2K scare really had me worried. People were stockpiling gallons of water and buying generators right and left. My husband and I decided we would go live with my parents in Schroeder as my mom has unknowingly been a Doomsday Prepper her entire life. (She has canned goods stacked by the case in her pantry.)
It seems we just made it through the Y2K scare only to have 2012 looming in the distance. From the time my son was 5 his sister would torture him with stories of the world coming to an end in 2012. I would promise him over and over that I would be there the morning of January 1, 2013 with hugs and kisses. Now that he’s 14 this promise was more of a threat than a comfort!
2012 was a beast though. There were more ups than downs but altogether I could have done without the downs. I never imagined my brother would die at the age of 48. I also never dreamed I would go to Tanzania, Africa or write a book. I tried some new foods—a peanut butter pepperoni pizza thanks to Zorbaz in Detroit Lakes and a walleye BLT at Hell’s Kitchen in Minneapolis are at the top of the list. Both delicious and highly recommended by the way.
I read some wonderful books like The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton and really enjoyed the Hunger Games trilogy. I have made a resolution to read 52 books this year so if you have a recommendation other than the Shades of Grey, please let me know.
I met many amazing people in 2012. In meeting these people from both the United States and Africa I learned that we are more the same than different. All mothers want their children to be healthy and happy and fed. I vowed to do what I can to help. In 2012 I lost 16 pounds but then they found me again…..I should have hid a little better. This year I will try wearing a disguise, not a bikini though, that’s just asking for the weight to jump back on just for spite.
I will turn 50 years old in October 2013. I am determined that this will be a positive experience. I can’t hold back time so I might as well embrace it with both arms.
I distinctly remember my mom turning 29. In my 8-year-old mind I thought she was old. Little did I know she would stay 29 for the next 10 years or more.
Now I just can’t think of 50 as old. It has to be a time to do more, give more, just plain be more than I was in my forties. We all know that 2023 is looming just 10 years away. Whew, will we make it? Though as I have heard it, civilization is safe until 2025.
Peace and a Happy New Year to you!
Nobody grows old merely by
living a number of years. We grow
old by deserting our ideals. Years
may wrinkle the skin, but to give up
enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
Samuel Ullman
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes.
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