New Year's Lessons

I have learned friendship can fill the void when family brings disappointments.

I have learned grandchildren are God’s gift of a second chance.

I have learned change is necessary to grow in knowledge.

I have learned from the terrorist event of September eleventh 2001, violent climate change and countless mass shootings that tomorrow is not a given.

I have learned from my husband, true love is unconditional.

I have learned from my cat, it is okay to nap in the middle of the day.

I have learned from my homemaking tasks, I have no excuse to be bored.

I have learned from my addiction to chocolate that some things are out of my control.

I have learned through my writing, I have something to say.

I have learned from Bonnie Mansell’s Memoir Group that our stories are our legacy.

These are the life-lessons I will carry in to the New Year with its new adventures and challenges.

Yolanda Adele is a member of the writing class at Norwalk Senior Center.