” Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering , ” It will be happier.” ( Alfred Lord Tennyson)

Posted on January 3, 2023 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader:

I know some of you yesterday got different excerpts… after the original post. Anne asked if it was ” ghosties” popping up. I told her it was some weird fever that hit me early yesterday morning.

I felt I was in some kind of “La La” Land and just completely out of it. My forehead was burning… and I was out of Tyennol- My neighbor Vickie came by and told me she was running to the store to pick up some supplies. As soon as I popped two heavy duty tablets… I collapsed and fell back to sleep. Waking up around 11 and feeling ” human” again.

Louise Penny, like Tennyson’s New Y ear’s resolution … believes in the future being happier… not just happy.

Anne told me she had just read a January newsletter from Louise Penny… that she really liked… I felt the same way.

Live in hope… not an absolute hope but a shifting , changing, and adjusting Hope.

Penny uses her long journey with her adored husband’s declining mental health to express her ” view” on Hope.

1-When the first signs of mental decline hit-Louise prayed it wasn’t dementia.

2- When it was diagnosed as dementia Louise prayed for a slow progression

3- When it started progressing rapidly, Louise prayed Michael wouldn’t be afraid

-4- When nearing the end… Louise prayed she could keep him at home and that he would pass gently knowing he was loved ( all three came to pass! )

-5- Then ( Louise adds) “I hoped I would be happy… and you know what… I am”)

So until tomorrow… ” YES …hope shifts, we never need to lose hope… so everyone ( 2023) Have a Happier New Year!

Louise Penny

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh … and getting happier as my fever has broken!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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3 Responses to ” Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering , ” It will be happier.” ( Alfred Lord Tennyson)

  1. Rachel Edwards says:
    January 3, 2023 at 11:11 am

    So glad that you are feeling better.

    Reply
  2. Lisa Register says:
    January 5, 2023 at 1:18 pm

    Great lesson on HOPE 🙂

    Reply

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