The End of 50 Truths Worth Knowing

WOW! This has been an amazing week. It started (last Saturday) with the Pastors' Christmas Party that my husband and I hosted. We had nearly 30 people in attendance and they seemed to enjoy the evening. YAY! The food (catered) was delicious, the desserts (I made them) were a hit, and the fellowship was awesome!

Then we partied with two of our churches on Sunday - a Chili Cookoff at one and a Christmas program at the other. Our churches are very busy this time of year and we love attending the festivities they host.

Then on Monday morning, my husband left on the first of two out-of-state trips for this week. Yep, he slept at home Wednesday night but other than that he was gone all week. That allowed me some extra flex time... and I was able to make 37 cards. WOW! That may be a personal record.

It' been a great week all except for one thing....

I'm kind of sad to say this is the 50th week of 2017... because it means I am now finished with my personal 50 Truths Worth Knowing challenge. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I had no idea in January when I started this how this would work... nor did I know if I'd even be able to complete it. I purchased the book 50 Truths Worth Knowing at a thrift store and had an idea that I could use each chapter as an inspiration for a card. But... I had not rad the book and didn't know how it would fit with card making.

Truthfully, I've had a blast with this! And I hope you've enjoyed seeing it unfold.

Today's card was inspired by the 50th chapter of the book.

Sometimes It's What YouDon't Ask For

That is the Very Think You Need Most

Christine recalled that one Christmas her family just wasn't in the Christmas mood. In fact, Christmas seemed stale, boring, lifeless. There was no festive feeling in her family's home just north of Boston.

They unwrapped presents and then "escaped" to their separate rooms. Dad when to his basement computer, her sister went to her bedroom to watch TV, her older brother went to a friend's house and she went to the kitchen. It was from her spot in the kitchen that she overheard her younger brother and mom talking somewhat awkwardly in the living room.

"Mom, you're going to be a grandmother."

"Oh, no."

Tom was a 22-year-old college student with two more years until graduation. His girlfriend was 3 months along in the pregnancy and his plan was to quit college, find a job (any job), marry, and raise his child.

Their mom wanted to be happy for Tom, but she wasn't.

Christine moved to the doorway of the living room and soon other family members gathered as well - her dad, her sister.  Dad reminded Tom of his aspirations (to be an engineer, something he had a talent for) and their sister cried (she never cries).

Advice was given. More tears were shed. Dreams were both squashed and born. The day changed everything.

The following summer Zack was born - all 8 pounds 7 ounces of him. He was no longer just a worry for this family, he was a real part of it. And that Christmas (with 4-month-old Zack) no one went to their own rooms after the presents were opened. Instead they gathered around to watch Zack smile and gurgle. He drew them together, not  just that Christmas, but through the years. His dimples, his brown eyes, and his joyful enthusiasm for life brought out the best in the family.

As a four-year-old, he loved every gift he received - he'd laugh and applaud... every pair of socks, every shirt, every gift. It was as if that was the most beloved gift in the entire world. "Isn't this great?" he'd exclaim. And because of him, it was.

Christine summed it up this way: "After all these years, it's easy to forget that Zack was once the boy whom none of us wanted. The boy who had worried our family - and who, in so doing,  made us realize we still were one."

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
If you've enjoyed this year's 50 Truths Worth Knowing challenge, you might like to know that I have a different 50-week personal challenge planned for 2018. I think it's going to be equally fun! So... I hope you'll come back on January 5th to see what I have planned.


Supplies Used

Stamp: Papertrey Ink Signature Greetings stamped with Gina K Black Onyx Ink

Papers: Recollections Red, White, and Yellow CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Red Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor