What a year this has been. Made great personal strides in many ways and suffered weird (mostly in-my-head) setbacks in others. Took on a ton of responsibility at work and in my home life and watched my face age in the process. Stopped counting but not plucking grey hairs. Was reminded time and time again that I am so fortunate to have the family and the foundation I have. Fought for things I wanted. Got some. Didn’t get others. Realized that I was better off without some things I thought I wanted. Met even more incredible people in this city and elsewhere that I’m happy to now know.
I had to work Thanksgiving this year. Well, I didn’t have to. Of the five winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day), we get to pick the two we want off. Most of the time, if schedule magic can be worked, you get your two. This year I went for New Year’s Eve and Day. First time ever, and I’ll be spending it in Chicago. It stings a little knowing I’ll be working on Christmas Eve AND Day (which is my birthday O WOE), but I picked my poison. Guess I should be grateful that I even had the choice.
I have so very much to be grateful for, and I couldn’t be more thankful, even for the challenges. I get sentimental and hokey and weird sometimes when I think about it, but I mean it. This little life I have carved out for myself has its pitfalls and its moments of quiet desperation, but it is the best life I could have hoped for, I think, and I have great hopes for all the other places it will take me.