Family: My One Word for 2013

When you look at this picture, you probably see that it is a board game.  You might recognize the game (Aggravation) or you might not.   You might wonder about the game, but chances are good that you don’t think of Mimmie.  Unless you are one of my family members — my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or siblings — you don’t even know who Mimmie is.  But I can guarantee you that anyone who loved Mimmie as dearly as I did sees something far more than just a simple game board.

When I see this game board, I see a life well lived and a love well played.  I see long summer nights, late bedtimes, and bowls of ice cream.  I see a special, lucky green die that always seemed to roll sixes or ones, and an old tin can full of marbles.  I see a worn thin Bible on a bedside table.  When I see  the game of Aggravation I see my grandma Mimmie.

As we played Aggravation over Christmas break this week I wondered what symbols from life will represent me when I am gone.  Will it be the peanut butter fudge at Christmas, the birthday cakes, or Scrabble?  Will it be the fights and arguments we have?  Will it be bedtime hugs, nose kisses, or books read aloud at night?  How can I be the kind of influence Mimmie was for me in the lives of my children?  What can I do now to strengthen our family bonds?  In some respects it was a long week and not all of my conclusions were pretty or easy.  I have a long way to go and big shoes to fill!

After all of that pondering, choosing a word for 2013 — a word of focus and purpose — was pretty simple.

Family.

My precious loved ones.  The people who will most likely remember my life and what I stood for when I am gone.  My greatest chance to make a difference in this world.  Family is going to be my focus in 2013.  Lord Jesus, help me keep my focus please.