It is hard to believe that there are just a few more hours left in the first decade of 2000. (My son will argue that this is the last year of the first decade and the next decade begins 1/1/2011, but my mind works better by keeping it on the 00’s) Was December 31, 1999 really 10 years ago? Y2K was the subject on everyone’s mind. The biggest fear was that our “high-tech” nation would suddenly shut down at midnight. All of our computer systems would refuse to recognize 1/1/00 and take us back to January 1, 1900 all because the system programmers had forgotten to program 4 digits for the year. “Intelligence” reports warned us that the electricity, gas and water would suddenly shut off, our money would be electronically locked in the banks and we would experience mega food shortages as our transit system became non-functional. Our basements were stocked with canned goods and a manual can opener, bottled water and extra blankets. We had a stash of ready-cash under our mattress and an extra propane tank for the gas grill. The countdown began, the ball in Times Square dropped, we snuggled in our warm beds and awoke to life as usual on 1/1/00; a new millennium had begun.
Who could have imagined that 21 months later 9/11 would take the place of Y2K in our vocabulary? The events of that sunny September day changed the life of every person living in the United States. We became aware of a dangerous world that for many living in other countries, is just a “way of life.” Flying to Florida for a family vacation became a long, arduous ordeal, young men and women were once again asked to sacrifice their lives for their country and for a time we all joined hands as proud Americans.
For me, 2001 was a defining year in my life. In December, 2000, my career in the job of my dreams began, then ended 6 years later. In May of 2001, Steve and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with a week-long vacation at Hilton Head. In July, the Hawks family celebrated Dad’s birthday with a wonderful family reunion in Doniphan, MO. On September 2, we sadly said goodbye to Dad as he went home to be with the Lord. December 29, Phil got married and I finally gained a daughter, Holly. Yes, 2001 was quite a year.
The next few years brought their share of blessing and sadness. We gained another daughter, Jenesa in July 2005 and our family was perfect; 2 boys and 2 girls……then, July, 2004, our first grandchild, Mackenzie was born. We felt that there had never been a grandchild born that was as special as this one until July 2006 when Madison came into our lives. Our joy was tripled in May, 2007 as we greeted Caleb, April, 2009 brought us Nathan and finally in June 2009, Anabel was born. During those same years we said goodbye to Steve’s Mom and my Granny, but even in the sadness, we were assured that it was only a temporary goodbye and one of these days, oh what a reunion there will be.
The last 10 years have been full of joy, sorrow, success, challenge and blessing. As the year 2000 dawned, I was 42 years old and I had dreams and goals for the next 10 years. Some of the dreams have come true, others have changed or are yet to be realized, but through it all God has not changed. I am looking forward to great and powerful things in my life as God continues to open doors and lead the way into the next decade.
No comments:
Post a Comment