Heading into 2022, my mom frequently asked me what my word of the year would be. I had nothing! Typically during the last few weeks of December, a word repeatedly shows itself. However, this year was different. Nothing was standing out, to the point I didn’t even care to have a word for the year. And then December 31, 2021, happened!
My husband and I were on our way back from running a few year-end errands. We were about 45 minutes from home, and the snow gently started to fall. I picked up my phone to keep my attention distracted from the now slick roads. As I began to scroll down the latest Facebook posts, I came across an adorable picture of a puppy named Hudson. Hudson was the remaining pup from his liter that had yet to be adopted. The animal shelter was pleading for someone to please consider Hudson for their family.
I showed my husband Hudson’s picture and said, “poor guy… we should go see him!” Just so you understand, our house currently has a Lab named Stormy, Chihuahua named Chewie, and Dak the cat. Our house was full of furry friends. My husband is not a fan of 2 of the 3, so another was likely out of the question. However, I told him it would be fun to get some puppy love and then go home. Here’s an excellent recommendation. If you are not planning, wanting, or thinking about getting a puppy…do not go to the animal shelter for puppy love. You are going to end up with a puppy.
End up with a puppy was exactly what happened to us. Although we didn’t end up with Hudson, I did ask to see the other puppy they had called Susie. She was only ten weeks old and was also the last of her liter. When Susie came into the room, it was over for my husband and me. I think it might have been love at first sight for my husband. She had the sweetest temperament and calm spirit about her. She was pretty perfect for our family. After about an hour from arriving at the shelter, we walked out with Thunder, aka Susie.
In 2021, we experienced loss, so to close out the year with this little bundle of joy was perfect. On New Year’s Day, we woke up, and I turned to my husband and said, “Did we get another dog yesterday?!” The following phrase that went through my head was…
Well that was unexpected!
And there it was…the moment it went through my head, it was like an alarm went off. My 2022 word of the year is Unexpected.
Unexpected is described in the dictionary as not expected or regarded as likely to happen. 2022 will be full of unexpected blessings. Sure it will have its challenges and trials, but there will be an unexpected blessing within each challenge and behind each hurt.
I’m looking forward to this year and can’t wait to uncover all the unexpected blessings on this journey.
Happy New Year Friends!
Shelly
