After some thought and consideration, I believe I have settled on NURTURE...the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone or something. Nurture is the opposite of neglect.
As I said earlier, this will be the first calendar year that DD18 is at college. DD23 married in August of 2015 and it will be the first calendar year that she is no longer dependent on us partially financially. It has been surprising to me how one less person at home has lightened the amount of time and energy spent on housework.
DH and I can go and do without feeling like we need to get home because we have one of our children there "waiting" for us. Already, I have enjoyed going and doing some things with him that I wouldn't have since DD18 has been away at college.
First, I want to nurture myself...really thinking about the things I need to do to take care of myself spiritually and physically.
Second, I want to nurture our relationship, spending more time with DH because I realize I won't have him forever or perhaps him, me. He really is good to me, even though at times, he aggravates the tarnation out of me (whose dH doesn't at time?). He has the best of intentions and works hard. He's been a great dad to our children, loving my DS from my first marriage as if he's one of his own. He's a great man of God trying to lead others into a relationship with Christ as often as he can. I'm very thankful for him.
Next, I want to work on our finances. I start off well, but lose steam somewhere along the way giving into things that are unneeded and insignificant rather than thinking about how we can use that money later or for other things we could enjoy more.
Finally, I want to nurture some friendships I've allowed to go by the wayside as I focused more on our family as they were growing up. We all need friends as we grow older. Our children move away, have families of their own that need their attention, not that they love us less, but that should be their priority. Our spouses die, and there we are left alone without relationships to keep us from being lonely and isolated...so unhealthy.
Those are my thoughts for now...we'll see how this thing goes for 2016!