Farwell 2023

As we approach the end of 2023, I think it leads many people to start to reflect on the year, and look to the year ahead. I know it does me. It’s hard to believe Christmas Eve is only a couple of weeks away, and New Year’s Eve, three weeks.

As we get closer to 2024, I plan to do a Goal post. This is something I started a couple of years ago in the blog, and did on Social Media before that. It’s where I set goals for the coming year. I’ll also do a reflection post on the goals from 2023, and we’ll likely post around the 3 year anniversary since the accident too.

But December is a busy month, and I also wanted to take some time to reflect on 2023 in general. It seems like every year, a lot happens, some years more than others, but the past three years have been pretty intense over all for many people I think.

Highlights from 2023:

• Ben and I got to go on several summer adventures together. In past years, Ben has done the Farmer’s Market and our summer adventures were limited, as he was busy with the farm. We also took an art class together this fall. A few photos from our adventures:

• We added a greenhouse to extend our growing season!

• We added more native plants to our yard, and enjoyed blossoms from a variety of plants.

• I enjoyed many birdwatching trips and had some pretty cool sightings!

• We survived another winter in the snowbelt and enjoyed the beauty winter brings.

• I enjoyed many other outdoor adventures!

Challenges:

2023 brought about plenty of challenges for us too! Here are a few of the challenges that came in 2023:

• Ben’s neuropathy continues to worsen, and he is slowly losing full use of his hands. With all of his health problems, he is no longer able to work on the farm.
• Our septic had some issues and we had to have the septic pumped.
• My dad dealt with a couple of health issues.
• I continue to face some challenges from the accident, and deal with chronic pain at times, especially at the weather changes.

Farwell 2023

Overall, 2023 has been a good year so far. Life always has its ups and downs, but even in the challenges, our faith remains strong. God has shown us many blessings along the way, and life is good despite, perhaps at times even because of, any challenges that come along the way. As I wrote about a couple of years ago in “It’s Enough to Keep Going,” the blessings, the little flickers of light along the way, remind us that not all is lost. Though the world may feel dark and chaotic at times, it will not stay dark forever.

We look to 2024 with anticipation of what is yet to come, and the adventures we may yet go on. After all, What Would Life Be Without Adventure?

Until next time,

Cindy and Ben