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Goodbye, 2011
Dec. 31st, 2011 08:13 amAnother year has come and gone, this one full of a lot more pain than I would have liked.... though I do have to admit that there was joy, in places, to balance it. So, here I am today - older, wiser, happier, sadder, and in my own personal tradition, looking back over the year, what have I learned?
I learned how to diagnose blastomycosis.
I learned the proper way to extract teeth, complete with drilling and root sectioning, and how to read dental x-rays.
I learned that I really don't like open-casket funerals.
I learned how to dance Argentine Tango.
I learned a lot about the new World of Darkness Vampire rules.
I learned what EMDR is, and how well it can work.
I learned what it felt like to lose my last living grandparent.
I learned that I'm a good enough writer to earn the interest and admiration of a professional I very much admire.
I learned that, while volunteering for the 3 Day is a fascinating experience, I much prefer walking.
I learned that I can sew an entire dress by myself, if I set my mind to it.
I learned that I can't ask anyone else to euthanize my pets for me - that when the time comes, I need to be the one holding the needle and wishing them goodbye.
I learned that pancreatic adenocarcinoma sucks.
I learned that sometimes new things come into your life just when you need them most.
I learned that bottle-feeding a kitten is much more time-consuming, messy, heartbreaking, frustrating, and fulfilling than I ever thought it would be.
I learned that Persian cats are high-maintenance.
I learned a lot about myself, much of which isn't for public consumption.
I learned, yet again, how strong my marriage is and how wonderful and devoted my husband is.
I learned some things I didn't expect about my faith and spirituality.
I learned that obstacle courses are even more fun as grownups.
I learned a lot more about the insides of mental hospitals than I ever wanted to.
I learned what it feels like to hold my mom's hand, metaphorically speaking, while she decided to take a family member off life support.
I learned that Martha's Vineyard is beautiful and very close to my personal vision of heaven.
I learned that going to Spy School is just as much fun as it sounds.
I learned that shellac manicures are awesome and addictive.
I learned that running is easier than I thought it would be.
I learned a lot about love, and my friends, and how no matter what happens and what I do, they'll be here for me - and that makes the rest of it okay.
This was a year of damage control; of having things happen to me and around me and in spite of me, and I spent most of it trying to keep up, trying to cope, and trying to figure out how to keep myself and the world around me alive and thriving. And I guess years like that happen to everyone. Next year, my wish is for a year of learning in times of peace and happiness and plenty, for myself and for everyone I love. I know I can't just order something like that off a Menu of Life, but I can hope.
So, what did you learn in 2011?
I learned how to diagnose blastomycosis.
I learned the proper way to extract teeth, complete with drilling and root sectioning, and how to read dental x-rays.
I learned that I really don't like open-casket funerals.
I learned how to dance Argentine Tango.
I learned a lot about the new World of Darkness Vampire rules.
I learned what EMDR is, and how well it can work.
I learned what it felt like to lose my last living grandparent.
I learned that I'm a good enough writer to earn the interest and admiration of a professional I very much admire.
I learned that, while volunteering for the 3 Day is a fascinating experience, I much prefer walking.
I learned that I can sew an entire dress by myself, if I set my mind to it.
I learned that I can't ask anyone else to euthanize my pets for me - that when the time comes, I need to be the one holding the needle and wishing them goodbye.
I learned that pancreatic adenocarcinoma sucks.
I learned that sometimes new things come into your life just when you need them most.
I learned that bottle-feeding a kitten is much more time-consuming, messy, heartbreaking, frustrating, and fulfilling than I ever thought it would be.
I learned that Persian cats are high-maintenance.
I learned a lot about myself, much of which isn't for public consumption.
I learned, yet again, how strong my marriage is and how wonderful and devoted my husband is.
I learned some things I didn't expect about my faith and spirituality.
I learned that obstacle courses are even more fun as grownups.
I learned a lot more about the insides of mental hospitals than I ever wanted to.
I learned what it feels like to hold my mom's hand, metaphorically speaking, while she decided to take a family member off life support.
I learned that Martha's Vineyard is beautiful and very close to my personal vision of heaven.
I learned that going to Spy School is just as much fun as it sounds.
I learned that shellac manicures are awesome and addictive.
I learned that running is easier than I thought it would be.
I learned a lot about love, and my friends, and how no matter what happens and what I do, they'll be here for me - and that makes the rest of it okay.
This was a year of damage control; of having things happen to me and around me and in spite of me, and I spent most of it trying to keep up, trying to cope, and trying to figure out how to keep myself and the world around me alive and thriving. And I guess years like that happen to everyone. Next year, my wish is for a year of learning in times of peace and happiness and plenty, for myself and for everyone I love. I know I can't just order something like that off a Menu of Life, but I can hope.
So, what did you learn in 2011?
