I remember at the start of the new year there was that air of uncertainty permeating the world. 2009 had not been all that great for many and 2010 was looked at with a wait and see attitude. We all wished each other a happier new year and held our breaths, hoping it wasn't another bumpy ride.I don't know how you fared 2010 but for me it was a year I would not have wanted to miss. It is one of those years I will look back on with great fondness. There were so many wonderful moments that I am grateful I was here to see it.
Here are some of my favorite memories of the year:
Having a job in public education in California has been a scary thing these last few years. The fact that I have been able to keep my job and be relatively unscathed by budget cuts reminds me how lucky I am. I know that this has not been the case for many. This was a fact not lost on me.
I was able to reconnect with several friends this year and that has been such a joy. Distance and circumstance had separated us physically but picking up in the place we left off was a wonderful blessing.
Speaking of blessings, one of my greatest was the addition to our family of our beautiful and healthy new granddaughter. Her journey to our family was not an easy one but she has already added so much to our lives.
We have "family dinner" on one Sunday a month. This is my favorite day of the month. All of my children and their spouses come to dinner. It is so much fun to watch the boys and their families together. The added bonus is that one of them often brings the dessert and it is always good.
In that vein, another fun part of this year was watching Tommy, and the three big boys join up with Big Rob, and three of our nephews (as well as Tommy's little brother) to play together on a softball team. The stands had as many relatives as the bench and it was made even better when they came in first at the end of the season.
There were a whole bunch of other red letter days that set 2010 apart from other years (Peter Pan in the city, Ter's baptism day, day trips, the last car payment, TOFW with the girls in Sacramento, breakthroughs in family history research, reunions, and probably many more that have momentarily slipped my mind).
2011 has some big shoes to fill. I can't wait!
via my young friend Emilee: "This might sound boring, but I think the boring stuff is the stuff I remember the most." (Russell from UP)
