I have been
seeing a lot of the “So&So’s 2012 Review” on the Facebook lately. I like them… I guess. And, I’m sure that I will wind up with
one. I was actually thinking of clicking
the link when I kind of thought to myself, “But they seem to be very
impersonal.” This is what has led me
here tonight. Writing about what my year has been like and reflecting on a more
personal level. No one is obligated to
read this and if you don’t want to hear about it, well, then click off this
page and don’t read any further. Trust
me. You won’t hurt my feelings if I don’t have to hear you complain.
I had a rough start to my year. My dad died January 15th. I don’t know how many of you have lost a parent. How difficult it is saying goodbye to someone you care so much for. My dad was so much to me. I keep him alive in my heart and I feel everyday that he’s here with me. My dad taught me so much about life and allowing life to flow. I didn’t truly learn what he meant until he was gone when he told me that my understanding would be thanks enough. I can never thank you enough for everything, Pop. I miss you every day.
I was able to see my sister and one of my brothers this year. I hadn't realized that it had been 13 years since Stephanie and I had seen each other. I'm hoping to connect with her more in the coming years as we learn to bridge that gap that was between us for so long.
Seeing Keith was amazing. My kid brother. I friggin loved that kid and now, while we don't talk all the time or keep constant contact, he knows that I am here for him as a friend and a sister.
I had a rough start to my year. My dad died January 15th. I don’t know how many of you have lost a parent. How difficult it is saying goodbye to someone you care so much for. My dad was so much to me. I keep him alive in my heart and I feel everyday that he’s here with me. My dad taught me so much about life and allowing life to flow. I didn’t truly learn what he meant until he was gone when he told me that my understanding would be thanks enough. I can never thank you enough for everything, Pop. I miss you every day.
I was able to see my sister and one of my brothers this year. I hadn't realized that it had been 13 years since Stephanie and I had seen each other. I'm hoping to connect with her more in the coming years as we learn to bridge that gap that was between us for so long.
Seeing Keith was amazing. My kid brother. I friggin loved that kid and now, while we don't talk all the time or keep constant contact, he knows that I am here for him as a friend and a sister.
I had this super
awesome job. Man! I loved that damned job. Being the Event Manager at Pure
Space was freaking sweet. I loved the people I worked with. Joe, Elizabeth.
Elena, Dave, Timothy…all made the job a bright spot. Those folks are what made
the Bullshit worth putting up with. But it wasn’t meant to last and now I’ve
moved on. I have a new job. Not the excitement and fun that WCEP was but still
a good job. I am shown respect and appreciation by the owner and my co-workers.
It’s a good place to work and I think I will be there for awhile. At least, I’d
like to think I will be there for awhile.
I moved from the apartment. At first I went to Vancouver. There for a month?
Then we came to where we are now and here I am. I love it here. So nice,
peaceful and serene. I never thought that I would find a place like this and
enjoy it enough to call it home. But I do. I am where I need to be.
I’ve spent the year watching Lillian grow into her own person. More rapidly than a mother would really want but none the less, she is an independent young woman. I’m still here to guide her and help her when needed but she’s doing pretty darned good on her own. She’s just recently started her first real job. I can’t express how excited I am for her! The pride and esteem that comes from work will propel her forward. I see good things in her future.
I’ve met some good friends over this past year. Strengthened old ones and lost a few.
Scott and Kari are friends of Richard’s that are becoming close friends of mine. These two, man. I can’t say enough nice things about them. They are both beautiful people with hearts of gold. Just knowing that they are around is a good feeling. Dave and Wendi. These two are unique. In their individuality and in their togetherness. They are the quintessential overgrown teenage love affair and they are kind and generous. These four people have made my year better just for being who they are and allowing me to know them.
Cecelia. My dear sweet friend. I lost you for a few years and now we are back. Not as often as we would like but still friends. You have been there for me like no other friend ever has. I am grateful to you for your generosity and your support. You have your struggles and I have mine but we always know that just a phone call away or a “I need you now” is all it takes to make the other stand up and say “I’m here.” You are a true friend. I love you, Lady Face.
Peter. You have been my friend through some rough stuff and some good. Always there for me and I know that I could tell you ANYTHING and you would look at me and say “You’re pretty fucked up. Here. Have a drink.” and then move on to something else. THAT is what keeps us friends. Because if you told me some fucked up shit I wouldn’t say any more or less to you.
I’ve spent the year watching Lillian grow into her own person. More rapidly than a mother would really want but none the less, she is an independent young woman. I’m still here to guide her and help her when needed but she’s doing pretty darned good on her own. She’s just recently started her first real job. I can’t express how excited I am for her! The pride and esteem that comes from work will propel her forward. I see good things in her future.
I’ve met some good friends over this past year. Strengthened old ones and lost a few.
Scott and Kari are friends of Richard’s that are becoming close friends of mine. These two, man. I can’t say enough nice things about them. They are both beautiful people with hearts of gold. Just knowing that they are around is a good feeling. Dave and Wendi. These two are unique. In their individuality and in their togetherness. They are the quintessential overgrown teenage love affair and they are kind and generous. These four people have made my year better just for being who they are and allowing me to know them.
Cecelia. My dear sweet friend. I lost you for a few years and now we are back. Not as often as we would like but still friends. You have been there for me like no other friend ever has. I am grateful to you for your generosity and your support. You have your struggles and I have mine but we always know that just a phone call away or a “I need you now” is all it takes to make the other stand up and say “I’m here.” You are a true friend. I love you, Lady Face.
Peter. You have been my friend through some rough stuff and some good. Always there for me and I know that I could tell you ANYTHING and you would look at me and say “You’re pretty fucked up. Here. Have a drink.” and then move on to something else. THAT is what keeps us friends. Because if you told me some fucked up shit I wouldn’t say any more or less to you.
And now, I come
to the person that has kept me in sanity and in who I find peace and warmth. Richard.
This man came into my life unexpectedly. We started this year on an unsure
note. Where are we going? What are we doing? Let’s just see what happens… and
now here we are. The relationship that has developed between us is more than
just boyfriend/girlfriend. He has become my partner in every aspect. I
introduce him as and talk about him with that title. Partner. That is truly
what he is in my life. Together we are a team. It feels good to know that I
have him beside me and that I am there for him. There is so much I could say
and go on about concerning Richard. I won’t. He knows my heart and that is
truly the blessing of our relationship. Plus, he buys me cookies and cake.
Two Thursdays
ago, I was in my Judaism class. Rabbi Kominsky said something that,
paraphrasing his words, I would like to share.
While talking about the meaning of Hanukkah, Rabbi said that the common message shared between, Hanukkah, Christmas and the Winter Solstice is one of hope. He said that when you look at what the burning oil, the birth of Jesus and the longest night of the year symbolize, you see that they all share that foundation of a “light at the end of a tunnel” or “a new beginning”. He encouraged us to enjoy these times and holidays with our non Jewish friends and family in the spirit of the meaning. I’d like to take that a bit further and encourage not only accepting a “Merry Christmas” from a Christian friend but extending one back with the same open heartedness. These holidays represent many things to many people. We get so caught up in the “offensive” and being the victim (“But I’M NOT Christian and everyone around me is saying Merry Christmas”! Yeah. Well? So what. Get over it. Be yourself and let them be themselves. ) that we forget that a “Happy Hanukkah!” or a “Blessed Be!” is most often a heartfelt sentiment meant to bring a smile to our face not darken our hearts with contempt.
I, personally, pledge to no longer “correct” or “guide” someone to greet me by my religious holiday during this season. I will accept and respond in kind to a “Merry Christmas” put forth by my friends and family. Deep inside I honestly want my Christian friends to have a Merry Christmas and my Pagan friends to delight in the Winter Solstice. These are acts that bring them happiness and peace.
While talking about the meaning of Hanukkah, Rabbi said that the common message shared between, Hanukkah, Christmas and the Winter Solstice is one of hope. He said that when you look at what the burning oil, the birth of Jesus and the longest night of the year symbolize, you see that they all share that foundation of a “light at the end of a tunnel” or “a new beginning”. He encouraged us to enjoy these times and holidays with our non Jewish friends and family in the spirit of the meaning. I’d like to take that a bit further and encourage not only accepting a “Merry Christmas” from a Christian friend but extending one back with the same open heartedness. These holidays represent many things to many people. We get so caught up in the “offensive” and being the victim (“But I’M NOT Christian and everyone around me is saying Merry Christmas”! Yeah. Well? So what. Get over it. Be yourself and let them be themselves. ) that we forget that a “Happy Hanukkah!” or a “Blessed Be!” is most often a heartfelt sentiment meant to bring a smile to our face not darken our hearts with contempt.
I, personally, pledge to no longer “correct” or “guide” someone to greet me by my religious holiday during this season. I will accept and respond in kind to a “Merry Christmas” put forth by my friends and family. Deep inside I honestly want my Christian friends to have a Merry Christmas and my Pagan friends to delight in the Winter Solstice. These are acts that bring them happiness and peace.
So, I hope that
2012 will close with a quiet click of the door and 2013 will begin on schedule
and with a more clearly defined goal. May you all have a Merry Christmas, a
Magical Yule and I hope that the Hanukkahs were joyous!
