Mostly in the past tense and third person, unless I am describing current feelings or general truths about a person. I very seldom do journaling like "You are so precious to me." I would put "Jane is so precious to me.
Examples:
Present tense - feelings:
I am so grateful for my family. We are very close and are there for each other in good times and bad. We text daily, Facetime regularly and love each other so much. I wish we all lived in the same house and could hug each other all the time, but I am so blessed that we all get along and there are no major family dramas. God and family are the heart of everything for me.
Present tense - feelings:
When I think about England, I miss Autumn and Spring the most. I miss seeing the leaves change. I miss the chill in the air and the rustle of the leaves on the ground. I miss the smell of the changing season and the wonderful smell of the damp soil and decaying leaves. When I see the pictures of my grandchildren hiking and enjoying the seasons, my heart is with them. I am so glad they have the life they do.
Present tense - general truths about a person or life:
If there is an opportunity to be outside, then that is where you will find Hannah. No cuddling up indoors for our lass, she is out hiking, with James, John and Luke enjoying the seasons and embracing nature.
Present tense - general truths about a person or life:
Things are not always perfect, but even in the tough times, we can choose joy! If times are really tough, and joy is not possible at that moment, then we can look to the future and know joy will be back.
Past tense - an event:
With family scattered all over the world, group pictures when we all get together are a real treasure. The occasion for the gathering was sad, but the opportunity to get our picture taken was a gift. There were beautiful faces missing, but these pictures remain a joy forever.
This has a bit of everything:
Since I retired, I have learned how to relax in ways I could not have dreamed of. I can stay up as late as I want and sleep in without setting an alarm. I can binge watch all my British television shows all day long because there is always a whole day tomorrow to get the chores done. I can curl up and read a book for hours, because I don’t have anything else to do and I can each chocolate all day if I really want to. I can make a cup of tea any time I want. I am loving retired life.
Of course, I am not completely lazy. I walk with my friend, Pam, almost every day. We take our time and walk around our lovely neighbourhood, walking between four and six miles most days. Some days we walk seven or eight.
I spend part of every day being creative. I scrap to my heart’s content, I create chalk pictures on our walks and I have painted rocks we leave in the gardens as we go.
I can spend time with my mum having a lovely cup of tea and my husband watching movies.
Wednesdays I have Bible Study with homework throughout the week and once a month I have book club.
Most Saturdays we go over to Steven and Nessa’s house and I spend time with Bruce while Rand helps Steven around the house and garden.
Everything is relaxing, though, because I don’t have to do it. I can do anything I want, whenever I want and I am totally loving life.
