Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 18

Starting Over

A few years back Wayne decided we needed to get away from the dreary winters in Seattle. The rain depressed him and he craved sunshine.  I balked.  Our children, grandchildren, our friends, my office, were all in Port Orchard.  The rain didn’t bother me, and I dug in my heels until Wayne convinced me to give it a one month trial.  I was sure I would hate it.  I didn’t hate it– I tolerated it. After a month of sunshine and much deliberation we decided to purchase a condo in Florida.

Reluctantly I agreed to three months in Florida a year. We knew no one, and I was convinced I would be utterly miserable away from everything that was home and familiar.  Every morning I had to pray for a good attitude and I’ll admit it took a while to adjust to life away from my children.  As the years progressed, though, we made friends, joined a couple of clubs and I adjusted.  Wayne thrives in the winter sunshine and I’ve written some of my best stories here in Florida.  I won’t say it was easy to start over but the change was a good for us both.  Today I love our Florida home and look forward to visits from the kids, grandkids and friends. Sometimes new beginnings have a way of sneaking up on you and blessing you in ways you never thought possible.

 

 

 

The Truth About Romance.

Wayne does not have a romantic bone in his body.  One would think after all these years he’d have this romance thing down pat.  He tries though, and I’m sure I’ll find a use for that Swiss Army Knife he got me recently (and he was so proud of himself)!  There are never flowers or chocolates from him.  The real gift from my husband and something that has kept our marriage fresh and vibrant is his ability to make me laugh.  Wayne has the funniest dry wit of anyone I’ve ever known.  He loves me, our family, God and country.  He supports and encourages me, he believes in me, and really that is far more important than any gift he could buy, even a Swiss Army Knife.

My dear aunt betty

 

News came this morning that my precious 105 year-old, Aunt Betty slipped quietly into the waiting arms of Jesus last night in her sleep.  While the news brought immediate sadness and tears, our family has been blessed to have had her—the last of my father’s siblings.   No words could ever relay how generous, kind, fun and forgiving she was. Even now I can hear the echo of her laughter. 

Aunt Betty, you will be greatly missed.

 

Taking a leap of faith

My writing career began at our kitchen table with a rented typewriter. Eventually that evolved into my own writing space with a computer and printer and even a small copy machine. I was in business.  When our youngest was a senior in high school I felt it was time to network with other business owners.  I rented a small office in a business complex and hired my first employee.  It was more than a little intimidating to sign a lease and take on the responsibility of providing a salary for an employee, especially when I couldn’t count on a regular paycheck.  This was a big leap of faith for me.  I asked God to guide me and He did and continues to do so.  My  first full time employee was Renate Roth and she’s been my right hand for the last 21 years.  Our tiny one widow office has turned into an entire complex.

 

What is Joy.

My word for this year is JOY. I love this word.  Happiness so often depends on circumstances but to me joy is what springs up inside that has nothing to do with what’s happening around me.  Joy is being able to smile when my day is full of lemons; it gives me the ability to look beyond my frustrations and not let them get me down.  Joy has a lot to do with my relationship with God and the trust I have in Him.  A sign on my desk says it perfectly:  “Debbie, I have everything under control. Trust me.  Jesus.”  That, my friends, says it all–that’s joy!

A look back at 2015

Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday was this month.  One of his big hits was the  song, “It Was a Very Good Year.”  That’s what 2015 was for us.  It’s the year I  dived into the convenience of an e-reader and found a dozen new authors whose work I greatly admire.  Our son was married and we were blessed with an adorable grandson.

It wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows, however. I had foot surgery early last year, which entailed a three-month recuperation and the challenge of being in a cast, bound to a wheelchair.  There were joys and sorrows, tears and laughter, sunshine and storms, but in the end it all balanced out enough for me to say it was, indeed, a very good year.

 

 

2016 Goals Worksheet

Happy 2016!  I’m heading to Florida to meet up with Wayne.  I delayed my annual departure to our winter home to welcome our new grandson, Mason Dale Mihai Macomber, who arrived December 30th.  (He arrived in time to be a tax deduction!) 

 I’ve already started working on my goals for this upcoming year.  I’m fanatical about goals.  I believe that once we write down our future plans our subconscious starts working to make them happen.  My worksheet is available here for anyone who is interested.  The worksheet has served me well through the years and I encourage you to give it a try.  One of my goals is to start knitting from the abundance of my yarn stash.  I’ll report back on how well I’m doing!

 

 

 

JOY.

I’ve been giving a lot of thought to my word for 2016.  After the death of our son Dale in 2011 I had serious doubts that I would ever experience true joy again.  The grief felt overwhelming and while life goes on, it’s as if it was divided between before Dale died and after.  This last year (2015) has proved transformational.  Our son Ted remarried and his wife is pregnant with a little boy they have decided to name Mason Dale.  When I learned we were about to have another grandchild my heart filled with JOY.  Real joy.  It seemed the perfect word for 2016.

 

Merry Christmas!

Tis the season of mistletoe and holly, shopping and hot chocolate and more shopping as we scurry from one holiday event to another.  While we’re looking to create a Currier and Ives Christmas what happens more likely resembles a scene from the movie A Christmas Story.  It seems we never get everything done on time.  Wrapping the gifts, mailing, the cards, baking cookies.  Yup it’s the season of craziness that tries women’s souls.  And yet it’s the most wonderful time of the year.  There’s a reason for that.  Love.  It’s the season when God gave us the most precious gift mankind had ever received in the form of an infant.  A baby born in a barnyard who came to save us all. Merry Christmas my friends and God’s blessing to you and yours.

The Reason for the Season

The house is fully decorated now. All six trees have their lights glowing.  The Nativity sets are on display throughout the house.  Two of my four Christmas teas have taken place already.  I’m in the full swing of the holiday season.  For me this really is the most wonderful time of the year.  Then today I read in a devotional by Dan Wolgemuth something that put Christmas into perspective.  This is the birthday of the King of Kings.

Obedient incarnation.

Humble at birth.

Sinless in life.

Maligned in trial.

Tortured in injustice.

Mocked while suffering.

Restrained in response.

Murdered in hatred.

Risen in victory.

  Reigning in power.

Enthroned in glory.

Worthy of praise.

Ruler.

King.

Happy Birthday Jesus.