Loss & Gain

I read a bunch of knitting blogs and realized that a lot of people are doing a year in review type of post and it got me thinking that maybe I should jump on the bandwagon with this because it was a big year for me. Thinking about it I realized it was a year of loss and gain for our family. I usually don't talk a lot about my personal life here because I like to keep it just that - personal. For some reason I feel the need to share.


There was a bit of loss for us. My dear brother in law passed away this year. He was in his eighties and his health had declined drastically in the last few years. He was a guy who when in his seventies you'd have thought he was in his fifties. He'd go around his neighborhood to see if "the old ladies" needed anything from the store or any help around the house with things they couldn't do. Keep in mind he was their age or older. He was a wonderful brother in law to Glenn and myself and a great uncle to our boys. We loved him very much and will miss him always.


Another loss for us, actually more for me, has been some serious poundage. I think I mentioned earlier that I had bariatric surgery this year. I had my operation in July and since then have lost, as of my weigh in this past weekend, a total of ninety one pounds. Nothing to sneeze at for sure! I still have a long road ahead but the difference in both my looks and the way I feel has been truly amazing. This is a loss I shed no tears over. I'm on this journey for the long haul and this is just the beginning.


Ok enough loss. Now for the gains.


When you have bariatric surgery, you have to have a lot of medical tests and take some classes. At one of my classes I met a woman who, as it turned out, was having her operation the same day as me! We talked a bit and got along well and hoped we'd be roommates in the hospital. We did wind up in the same room and a friendship was forged that will last forever. She and her husband have become very dear to me. It's difficult going through a life changing, and possibly life ending, experience like this but when you go through it with someone else, it eases your mind. She's become a very close friend and she and her husband spent Christmas Eve with our friends and family. And one of the best things? She's learning how to knit! She started a scarf with the knit stitch and 30 stitches. No purling yet. She's about a quarter of the way through, has 34 stitches and hasn't given up. I love her for her sweetness and determination and am so happy she's in my life.

Another gain was this guy.

This is my great nephew Patrick! (Is is great nephew or grand nephew? I like great better. Grand makes me sound old!) He was born in October and he's Maddie's little brother. He's my niece, Joyce's, little boy. Isn't he darling? Joyce brought both the babies for a visit last month and we all had a great time. What good babies they both are! So sweet with such good temperaments. They're lucky to have a mother like Joyce who is so attentive and loving.

All in all it had been a really good year with a few bad things that happened. Glad it's over and now we're on to 2012!