They are: Phyllis (85) Lee Anne (80), Sue Ellen (76), Sharyn McDonald (62), and Suzanne (57).
The Smithellaneous commenters are what make this blog really sparkle; I am especially grateful for the top five who have taken extra time over the years to share their thoughts and contributions.
And to all of you who added your voice to the conversation in 2021, I’m looking forward to all the conversations we will have in the coming year.
We have been in Charlotte . . .
with Steve’s mom for a couple of days. (We all got tested for COVID the day before going.) We are headed home to Manteo today while Nathan and his family fly home to Florida.
It’s always special to spend time in Charlotte but all the more so yesterday because Steve and I celebrated our fortieth anniversary.
We weren’t even thinking about our anniversary when we planned our visit to Charlotte so it was a wonderful realization that we would actually be attending church with Vernie on Sunday morning in the very church we were married exactly four decades ago.
We were also thankful the timing worked out that all our kids and grandkids happened to be there were with us on our big day too.
After the service, we got a few photos of the crew at the front of the sanctuary. (I’ll post one with Vernie later; it’s on someone else’s camera.)
As we renacted our walk up the aisle, we found out we were being photo-bombed. Andrew has never met a camera he hasn’t loved.
Of course, we had to pose for a few shots at the front of the church where we stood in our original wedding finery. (Couldn’t find a photo of us standing there but here is the wedding finery, at least.)
We started with a serious shot and then it went downhill from there.
On Saturday (when we gathered with extended family for a late Christmas celebration), Sarah and Gage and Nathan and Meagan shared a marvelous skit they had written about the past forty years. It has us shouting with laughter and reaching for Kleenex, all in the same fifteen minutes. I’ll try to post an excerpt from that in the future; it was amazing.
was to visit Ken’s grave. A sobering, tearful experience.
We were blessed with so many experiences, memories, and emotions over these past few days.
I don’t want to take too much time away from them for blogging. I’ll sign off for now but have so many memories and photos to share soon.
I’ll close by asking a beginning-of-the-year question:
What is something you are most proud of having accomplished or done in 2021? Share just one or as many as you like.
Let’s celebrate each other as we celebrate the start of a new year.
The thing I’m most proud about from 2021 is trying (starts and stops, failures and successes) to focus on my physical and mental well-being. I tried to get more exercise, to eat better, to give myself time for my mental health. It’s a process, and sometimes it seems interminable, but it’s important.
I decided recently that part of that would be getting back into reading the blogs I used to follow. I used to love reading and commenting on people’s posts, but over the last few years–even before covid– I started kind of…. disengaging from the world. It’s past time to try to get back to being an active part of it.
Kristina,
Welcome to re-engaging with the world! I’m glad that part of that process includes Smithellaneous. I always enjoy it when you stop by here.
And good for you for persevering through failures and successes and sticking to the path of getting healthier physically and mentally. I’m sure you can look back at a year ago and see slow but steady progress. Keep it up!
Sorry I’m late with commenting! It’s been a busy start to the year for me!
Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary to y’all! You guys are definitely a wonderful example of how you should “do” marriage and love and life!
I love seeing all the pictures!
Suzanne,
Glad you enjoyed the photos and your year is off to a good and busy start.
And thank you for your kind words about our family
I think this is the first year in awhile that I haven’t been in the top commenters list.
I have read every post, but due to one thing or another, I wasn’t able to comment.
I had Covid at the beginning of December and I was down for 2 weeks. Then Christmas came (and went) and work has been busy. Since having Covid, I still don’t have all of my energy back.
I have loved all of the posts and enjoy looking at all of the photos.
Krista,
It is the first time in a while. Thanks for being such a faithful commenter through the years. I’m so sorry to hear you had COVID and especially at such a busy time of the year.
I hope things settle down at work and you get more and more strength back each day. Hugs to you.
I think my biggest accomplishments from 2021 were finding a nursing home to admit my parents to. The staff there is very caring which made the decision easier for me. Next would be getting the house they had lived in for 64 years ready for an estate sale and then to put it on the market. The sale should be complete by this time next week, possibly even sooner. Next up is to go through all the pictures that my mom had and divide them up. This will be a good winter activity when it’s too cold or snowing outside.
Congratulations on your 40th (Ruby) anniversary. How nice that all your family could be with you on your special day. I’m sure you are missing those grandkids already.
Phyllis,
I had forgotten this anniversary was called Ruby. Thanks for that info!
I know you are sitting back and breathing a sigh of relief over everything you accomplished last year. Now you have the cozy job of sitting in your warm house and sorting through pictures. Sounds like great fun!
Happy Happy Anniversary!! How very special to be able to celebrate it not only in the same church where you were married, but with all your children, children-in-love, grands, and of course Vernie with you!!
A couple of my 2021 “accomplishments” were surviving another year of “high school covid era” and my husband and I taking a “just us” road trip for almost a week.
I look forward to your photos and all your blog sharing to come. Here wishing us all a healthy, prosperous, loving 2022!
Sue Ellen,
Yeah, people associated with our school systems during the season of COVID need a huge round of applause. (That clapping sound you hear is ME!)
So many changes and adjustments to be made, sometimes on a daily or hourly basis. Kudos to you for staying the course.
A week-long road trip. Be still my heart.
Great family pictures. We just celebrated on Dec. 30th our 55th anniversary. Never did that before, so Happy Anniversary to you and Steve. How wonderful to recreate your walking down the aisle.
Sharyn,
Happy 55th! I love your line, “Never did that before.” So true for any big milestone which makes it all the more special.
Congratulations on your 40th anniversary! How perfect that it coincided with the Florida Smith’s visit. I can’t get over how grown up Noah and Madi are!
We celebrated our 40th in May and did a small vow renewal up in the mountains with our kids and grand kids in attendance.
Blessings to all of you in this new year for good health, safety and much happiness!
Lee Anne,
Congrats on YOUR 40th. Can you believe we’ve been married that many years?
Health, safety, and happiness–three blessings I’m happy to received.
So glad you had all that family time in Charlotte. How nice for Vernie to be surrounded by all that love. Love to you all!!
Carol,
How nice to see your name pop here!
We had such a lovely time with all the gathered family; too many memories to count.
Happy Fortieth Anniversary Becky & Steve! The reenacted walk up the isle photo bombed by Andrew is a favorite. Thank you for sharing your sweet family memories with us. I look forward to reading about the family skit in future posts.
2021 happy memories include my connection with Biltmore Church in Arden. Serving in the Children’s Ministry seems to be a good fit for me. I love connecting with the innocent little ones while their parents are attending service and connect group. It’s actually an honor for the parents to trust me and the other volunteers with their precious children on Sunday morning. I remember the old saying, “it takes a village”. I love being a ‘village team member’ at church, it’s my happy place.
Yesterday I was one of 3 volunteers caring for a two year old class. We had 2 small visitors that cried continuously. Little Silas starting crying alligator tears the moment that he entered the room. I picked him up, walked around, offered several activities but nothing seemed to help. The crying continued for quite a while so we sent a text to his Mom. Oddly enough, as she was walking up the hall towards our room, without seeing Silas, the crying stopped! It was as though he knew she was near. He actually seemed quite happy for the next hour. I am 66 years old, childless and honestly have had little experience caring for children. I was happy to find myself ‘stepping into’ the crying situation rather than looking for the exit!
Happy New Year
Gloria
Gloria,
Dealing with a crying child who misses his momma is not an easy thing to do. Kudos to you for persevering and helping your new little guy be comfortable and happy after getting him settled in.
As pastors, Steve and I LOVE our volunteers and you sound like a Super Volunteer! Takng the time to serve and give of your time and abilities–you will never know what a difference you make.
Happy Anniversary. My husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary last September and that is quite a feat these days. I also quit smoking in July which I am also quite proud of. Love seeing the pictures of the little ones and the not quite so little ones.
Mel,
Wow. Quitting smoking is a HUGE accomplishment. So proud of you!
And happy 30th anniversary. Another major milestone!
Blessings for decades more!! Love you guys. Can’t wait to see more of your amazing Christmas photos – especially those photo-bombing grands. LOL
Sheri,
Andrew has got photo-bombing down to an ART form!
Happy Anniversary! An emotional time for sure. Happy New Year!
Lesley,
Thank you.
Hope you and your family had a wonderful season together.
Happy 40th! Wow, what an awesome time reminiscing. Thanks for sharing so many of your journeys with us. We have come to love you AND your family. 🥰
Cheryl,
Thanks for the love and the sweet words sent our direction. Hugs right back.
I stayed alive.
Randee,
I don’t know the context around that statement but I DO know that whatever it is, I am EVER so glad for you!
Happy Anniversary!
I am most proud of reading through the Bible in one year for the first time in 2021!
Geta,
That’s a big accomplishment to read through the Bible in a year. I’ve done it a couple of time but the most recent time, it took me more like 18 months. Sort of a long-ish year
Congrats on sticking with it!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE SMITHS AND LONGS! This past year was trying, as was 2020, but with God’s grace we made it through. Thankful my hubby and I have not had covid and praying we won’t this year, even though covid is worse now than ever. We lost family members to it last year and that was tough. I never dreamed in a million years that this old world would be fighting a pandemic and it still continues. Thankful we have a great big God to take care of us. He is in control. I am thankful that I will be celebrating ten years cancer free on the 24th of this month. My mom turned 85 last week and still doing good even though she has slowed down a lot.
I have so enjoyed the musings of your posts about all your family and church life. Sarah looks so happy and she looks like she is healthier than ever. That blesses my heart. Your family is amazing and I am so glad they are doing so good. Happy Anniversary to you and Steve. Lord willing, my hubby and I will celebrate 49 years in June. Thank you for sharing your life with us all. I pray only good health and great times in this new year ahead.
Kaye,
Sad along with you about the family members you’ve lost to COVID. It has NOT been an easy time!
Along with the sadness, there is the celebration–being a ten-year survivor, still having your mom on this earth to love and care for, and an upcoming anniversary to celebrate. Forty nine years is a long time!