Reflections

New Year's Day.

I can't believe that another year has passed. Just like everybody does this time of year, I have been looking back. Replaying the year. Sizing it up. Was it a good year? Was it a bad year?

It was the best year.
It was the worst year.

It was by far one of the most important years of my life. I'm sure that at the end of my days I'll still say that 2013 was one hell of a year.

It was the year I got a promotion. A rather significant one to me. One I worked hard for. One that I didn't get in 2012 and one of my coworkers did. It was the first time Adult Kim worked hard for something and obtained it. It felt amazing.

It was the year I moved in with Ryan.

It was the year we took our first vacation together.

It was the year I learned how to play golf. Kind of.

It was the year I went to my first car race. And I liked it. I became a fan.

It was the year I found out my Dad had cancer.

It was the year my family was tried and tested.

It was the year I saw pain and suffering.

It was the year I watched my Dad and my Mom fight for more time together.

It was the year I learned to be positive no matter what I was facing.

It was the year I watched my Dad die.

It was the year I learned how to appreciate the small things.

It was the year I saw my family fall to pieces and then pick up those pieces.

It was the year friendships were stregthened. Cemented almost.

It was the year I learned to truly appreciate the people and things around me.

It was the year I finally grew up a little bit. Realized that it wasn't about me. Or what I wanted. Or that life has its own plans. I learned a little bit about sacrifice. I feel I little older. A little wiser.

It was the year of extreme loss. Loss that has forever changed me.

It was the year of good times. Good concerts. Good trips. Good drinks. Good nights drinking on the patio. Good days spent on the river. Good laughs. Good memories.

So this new year is a little bittersweet. It's the same feeling I have when I visit an old friend. I know I have to leave. Move on. Return to normal life. But I never want to. I want to stick around a little longer. Stay just a little bit. But staying too long would wear out the welcome.

I am excited for this new year. To see what it brings and what adventure are in store for me and the fam. It will be a big year too. A year of healing. A year of not letting the little moments pass. Of living in the moment. Of saying why not instead of why. Of letting those around me know how much they are appreciated.

I wish you a Happy New Year full of enough of whatever you need. And thank you for coming on this journey with me.