Closing of the Year

When the end of December rolls around do you reflect on the past year? Do you think back and remember various milestones, achievements or experiences? Do you think ahead to the next year and draft your mental list with what you hope to accomplish in the new year?

Lately I have been thinking about my experiences in 2011. Mostly I have thought about my husband's homecoming from his deployment. I appreciate every second I have with him, every moment we are by each other's side. He has been home eight months, to me it feels like eight days. After a year at the helm, I am still reaching inside myself to find the resolve to step aside and share the wheel. Being on duty 24 hours a day and 7 days a week has put me on shift full-time. Now, my teammate is back and the duty has been set to be shared.

I am reluctant to ease up on the reigns because I want him to witness every accomplishment our children achieve, share each emotion during every second of the day. I feel I have gotten to see them grow and blossom so much over a year, all while he has been selflessly providing for us. He returned home and his life partner, the woman who he met when she was a spirited 17 year old young lady, was now an elected official, appreciated throughout her community. While he was away I spread my wings and flew so high. He has provided for us in so many more ways than I think he can imagine. Our children thrive within their education, their hobbies and their wisdom. I can say the same for myself where I have found a passion, one where I am afforded the opportunity to serve those around me.

Looking back on 2011 there are so many incredible things I am forever grateful for having the opportunity to experience. The loving reunion of my husband, our new sweet-faced dog, the adoption of approximately 10,000 people I call 'family', wiggly baby teeth, straight A report cards, Tae Kwon Do mavens, and countless other accounts flood into my cloud of memories. We logged some firsts into our scrapbook of life with a camping trip, a Stone Mountain laser show (a Georgia rite of passage) and a Braves game. Our children are at the age where their earliest memories are being created and that is a concept I keep close to my heart. I love hearing them say, "Do you remember when we went to...?" I look forward to the day when they ask if my husband and I remember our family's first camping trip together!

There are so many clichés we can apply to the closing of a year, and in turn to the start of a new year. Make every day count. Today's the first day of the rest of your life. Live life to the fullest. Carpe Diem! Embrace a cliché, look at the new year with rose colored glasses. What will it hurt? Keep your grip on reality, hold on with optimism.  Why not make this the year of memories? Even the smallest of incidents will ignite a memory. I grew up taking wonderfully beautiful hikes with my father in the hills of the Northeastern U.S. That memorable experience expanded as my hikes with my husband became more frequent in the Southwestern U.S. Now, I have amazing hiking memories stretching through a huge spectrum as we have taken many hikes here in the Southeastern U.S. with our children. I foresee hiking becoming a fun activity our children will have the pleasure of experiencing with their own one day. My husband's fun-loving, unpredictable, adventurous nature leaves me wondering what 2012 will bring to our family. When he and I begin to brainstorm we mix up some great, easy fun for our children.

Stretch your wings in 2012, maybe even step outside of your comfort zone. Be healthy and alive in your own existence and skin, embrace life. Live the clichés!