Incredible Year

It has been too long. So much has happened: births, deaths, anniversaries, weddings, divorces… many steps forward and a few steps back.

It has been an incredible year too.

Obama is President.

My little girl walked on January 23, a few days after the inauguration that we all watched, transfixed, uplifted and hopeful.

She turned one in April, cut most of her teeth, outgrew many cute little outfits, cried some, laughed more and brought such unspeakable joy to so many people.

I started a new job, travelled to Europe for the first time, enrolled in graduate school and moved in with someone that has transformed right before my eyes.

I got a new car, made some new friends, lost a lot of weight and then gained some of it back, lost touch with old friends and rekindled forgotten friendships.

An incredible year indeed.

But, it has been awfully long. I do not read as much as I would like, or watch as many movies as I used to. My life is completely transformed… the labels grown up, mature, mom, wife even, all sound strange but I pick each cap and wear it with pride. Sometimes I have to don several caps all at once. Never mind that they are mismatched and sometimes even conflicting. Hiding from my little girl so I can study or cram for exams, get up early to make pancakes when my body aches for more and more sleep, turning down family events because I have to stay with my own little family…tiny conflicts, each teaching you something new.

It is no longer just about my happiness or my dreams and plans. It’s all encompassing and so widely scoped it’s a small miracle it does not all come crashing down.

I am blessed and I am happy.

It has been a truly incredible year.

The other half promises a better year next year. We’ll move houses, perhaps we’ll have an additional member in our tightly knit unit. Perhaps.

But, whatever life throws our way, I am confident that we’ll be alright. I look forward to it all, chaff and gems, muck, mire and treasure.

Happy Holidays.