Year-End Entry
2011 was incredible. There were these huge milestones like my wedding, marriage, moving out of my parents' house, professionalizing my freelance business, finally finding a day job that I love, etc. Joel graduated college on the dean's list, quit smoking, subsequently weaned himself off his e-cigarette, found a good job, started singing at church again, gave out a testimony to some people from church, etc.
Beneath the layer of what has become our life is all the relationships that have kept us sane and happy. We have friends who are family, we've made new ones through our business (even rekindled old ones!), and spent every weekend with our families. I'm pretty much speechless. I'm always complaining that I'm so tired but the realization I've been telling my friends is that I may be exhausted, but I'm so, so happy. I haven't known contentment and peace like this.
Wow, and I just realized that today December 27th marks four months of my being married. I don't know where time went or where my words disappeared off to.
I posted pictures from Alice's camera -- that night was my favorite moment of December. We all got together in the mall, sequestered an outdoor area of our new favorite watering hole (it was formerly Grappa's, it's now Oody's. Grappa's got rid of their microbrewery and their new waiters hate us. My theory is it's because we're not white and moneyed), celebrated Em's birthday, celebrated Reg being home, and... talked everything away. Joel and I tapped out early at midnight but without realizing we clocked in FOUR HOURS of dumb jokes, silly stories, and unglamorous picture-taking. And believe it or not, the rest of them stayed there till 3:30 a.m.
I really am speechless. It's like my life finally turned around and I'm where I want to be. I'm saying a prayer now while I'm writing all of this. I learned about forgiveness, love, peace, God, all in one go this year. And on top of all those began the layers of friendships, family, that inch up higher to layers of everyday life, dreams, wishes, careers tying it all together.