Most years fly by. This one didn't. Stuff that happened in March felt like two years ago. It was a long, complicated year that had a bit too much - pain, excitement, new beginnings, sad endings etc.
The good:
The good:
- I switched jobs at work, and I feel rejuvenated in many ways. Almost took a startup job in the city, but I bailed out in the end. Which is totally fine - it made me think hard about what I wanted out of work and I ended up taking on a new role more in line with where I want to be.
- We bought a new car. I love our little Fit.
- Stability - I never want to take this for granted, even when things are good. Both E and I are gainfully employed; our child is happy and thriving at her school; and we have the love of good people in our lives.
- Warriors. NBA Champs. Wow - still feels unreal saying this. The Warriors got me through a lot of the chaos from this year and this will always be a special, special championship.
- I've been doing the little self-improvementy things that feel good. I've started running for the first time in my life. Doing my radio show again. Reading more.
- My grandfather passed away last month. He was an amazing man and a huge influence on who I am. I love you and miss you, Nana. The last six months have been hard on my family - my parents had become his caretakers as he started to need more and more assistance. I've been flying back to visit them quite a bit, and I'm just amazed as to how much my mom was able to do for him. It is hard to say goodbye, but as he deteriorated things were becoming increasingly unsustainable. Small consolation, but maybe we can all find some peace in moving forward.
- Our beloved cat passed away this summer. I felt really lost after having had her in my life for 16 years. My daughter is the one who probably felt this the hardest, but I was also impressed with how she processed it all. She built a shrine for the cat, and made sure we said a proper goodbye and got to talk about what an awesome kitty she was.
- It has been a tricky time at work. Even though I landed on my feet, I had to deal with a ton of stress and needed to do a fair bit of soul searching before I could figure things out.
- I broke my ribs. They are still broken and it kinda messed up my Christmas break. But it is fine. I'll be ok.
- Lots of terrible stuff happening around the world - more mass shootings, idiot presidential candidates, a broken police system, religious fundies across the world. I miss the heady optimism of 2008 and the first Obama inauguration. Election cycles are never fun for me. I'm not going to bother with wishing everyone an amazing 2016 - that is too simplistic a notion, and things are too fraught right now. If we can just come out of the next year with a modicum of hope and positivity, I'll take that as win.
