Goodbye, 2016, You Didn't Totally Suck
Okay, 2016 did blow on several levels, but it will always be the year I finally became a college graduate. Nothing can take that memory, or that degree, away from me. It's almost sweeter, somehow, to earn it this late in life, with a fuller appreciation of what it means for both my job marketability and my self-esteem. And I graduated magna cum laude, goddammit! *doing a little victory shake in my chair*
It will also be the year I got a job, something I seriously doubted I would be able to do. Here I am, over 40 and just now getting a bachelor's, entering the job market with all these 20-somethings, some of whom are already working on their master's. I hardly thought I'd be anyone's first choice for anything. Now here I am, surrounded by smiling preschoolers, and doing all I can to make one teacher's very stressful and demanding days just a little bit easier to bear. One fear that's always plagued me is being useless or unneccessary, but I know I'm needed there, and it feels good.
This new year starts with my mom still alive, healthy in body and mind, self-sufficient, and very happily retired. It starts with my son still doing well in school while learning, with the aid of skilled teachers and therapists who know and care for him, how to interact with society. It starts with my husband still having a great career with the military, with an income and benefits that see to all our needs, and enough left over to spoil ourselves a little. It starts with us miraculously still in love with each other, the past 16 years of marriage only deepening our bond instead of wearing it down. None of that would have been possible if 2016 hadn't been a good year.
While going through my old posts trying to pick which ones to link, I realized I never showed you guys the rest of my 50 drawings. Remember that school assignment where I voluntarily drew portrait after portrait of Sam & Dean Winchester from Supernatural? Well, I got an A+, my teacher loved the idea, and yes, several students recognized the brothers. Some even took pictures so they could show their friends! So, to say goodbye to 2016, I'll spend the next few days posting those drawings, as they were both an artistic and fangirly highlight of my year.
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It will also be the year I got a job, something I seriously doubted I would be able to do. Here I am, over 40 and just now getting a bachelor's, entering the job market with all these 20-somethings, some of whom are already working on their master's. I hardly thought I'd be anyone's first choice for anything. Now here I am, surrounded by smiling preschoolers, and doing all I can to make one teacher's very stressful and demanding days just a little bit easier to bear. One fear that's always plagued me is being useless or unneccessary, but I know I'm needed there, and it feels good.
This new year starts with my mom still alive, healthy in body and mind, self-sufficient, and very happily retired. It starts with my son still doing well in school while learning, with the aid of skilled teachers and therapists who know and care for him, how to interact with society. It starts with my husband still having a great career with the military, with an income and benefits that see to all our needs, and enough left over to spoil ourselves a little. It starts with us miraculously still in love with each other, the past 16 years of marriage only deepening our bond instead of wearing it down. None of that would have been possible if 2016 hadn't been a good year.
While going through my old posts trying to pick which ones to link, I realized I never showed you guys the rest of my 50 drawings. Remember that school assignment where I voluntarily drew portrait after portrait of Sam & Dean Winchester from Supernatural? Well, I got an A+, my teacher loved the idea, and yes, several students recognized the brothers. Some even took pictures so they could show their friends! So, to say goodbye to 2016, I'll spend the next few days posting those drawings, as they were both an artistic and fangirly highlight of my year.
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3
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5
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7
8
9
10