I’m never sure how to look back at a year. As someone who’s naturally planning and looking forward, the time reserved for looking back always seems to come sparingly—when you’re looking at vacation photos, or an old song comes on the radio. Which is not to say that’s a bad thing; it’s decidedly not. What good is living a year, and feeling thankful for another, if you can’t wrap it around you for even just a few moments and know that it has become yet another block in the structure of your life? All it’s little moments and pieces are memories. Celebration. Heartache. Happiness. Lessons. All that came your way, and everything you made it into thereafter.
If I look back at this year, that’s what I want to see: the moments. The parts that made up the whole. The roads that I traveled, the people I loved, the wonderful friends I don’t deserve and the way I sunk into them all. Whether I wanted to or not, that is what I did. I look back and I see it all. The moment my heart seemed at peace, finally.
The Spring Break race trip where I heard just what I needed to hear, with four people whose lives have changed so much that we will never be in a place like that together again. The days I spent in the only place that makes me count the days until I return to it.
Getting up early to run at the time I used to go to sleep. The irreplaceable time I spent with my nephew and sister. The time I spent running with my sister, while singing to her (often rapping, too). My introduction into my new title of Hardware Princess. A very profound weekend, as I simultaneously turned twenty-eight and found a lump in one of my breasts. Remembering what mid-terms are. Crossing a finish line with one of the most amazing women I know. And let’s not forget, moving this site into these here digs, and the thing that shocks and amazes me constantly: having people willing to come along for the ride.
The list, it could go on and on. Every bit could be revisited in a way that would both make me long nostalgically for those pieces of perfect and reassure the logical part of me that every moment has it’s place. The marks are made, the history is written. I like to think I’m smarter for some things, but know I’m still dumb as I ever was for others.
So I can look back. And I hope you do, too. We’ll remember the times that went too fast and the people that left too soon, the good news and the tough news. We’ll remember the days we couldn’t stop smiling, and the days that left us wondering how we ever got to where we are. We’ll remember both the magical and the mundane, hopefully realizing that upon looking back, they are often one in the same.
Happy 2008, everyone.
Airam says:
Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2007 at 10:42 am
barbara bruederlin says:
What an amazing year! Here’s wishing you a spectacular 2008.
December 31st, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Cat Chaser says:
Hopefully next year I get a christmas card from ya
Happy New Years!
December 31st, 2007 at 12:30 pm
JACC says:
I’m thinking 2008 is going to be great. Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Database Diva says:
I am usually so caught up in the moment that I don’t have time to think about the past or the future. Around my birthday I start reflecting a bit, as well as thinking about what I want to change.
Wishing you all the best in 2008!
December 31st, 2007 at 4:20 pm
backofpack says:
I hope you find all the joy you desire in 2008 - hoping for a wonderful year for you!
January 1st, 2008 at 12:34 am
singleton says:
There you go! Wrapping it up just perfectly! “We’ll remember both the magical and the mundane, hopefully realizing that upon looking back, they are often one in the same.”. Wishing you a year of peace love and perfect moments, both magic and mudane!
January 1st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
brandy says:
Lovely! Happy New Years my friend. It sounds like you had a remarkable year- I look forward to hearing about all your new adventures in this new year!
January 1st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Nicole says:
I wish you nothing but happiness and joy in 2008! Who knows maybe we’ll even end up on the island at the same time some day soon.
January 1st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
girlgoyle says:
Awesome pics and remeniscing. Happy New year!
January 1st, 2008 at 4:22 pm
MN Sunshine says:
What a delight! Thank you. Happy 2008.
January 1st, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Danielle says:
That beach…I’d love to be there right now…
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:05 am
Jen says:
Happy 2008!!! All the best!
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:12 am
Exception says:
This was a great recap of the year. Beautifully written.
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 am