To 2018, With Love
Dear 2018,
Where to start? You have been great. I am sad to see you go, especially since it took me until August to remember to write ‘18 instead of 2017 whenever I had to put the date down on paper. Every year seems to bring a whirlwind of activity, and you…my dear, sweet (and sometimes complicated) 2018 were no exception.
Highs and Lows
Some highlights were the Red Sox winning the World Series and my baby boy finally getting up the gumption to walk, talk, and fist pump. I also cry with relief that there were many random acts of kindness in 2018, such as: the waffle house waitress cutting a man’s meat and getting rewarded with a viral video and college scholarship. Plus, the 2018 story about two nurses saving a baby in Walmart via infant CPR. They are the epitome of good Samaritans.
2018 brought a few lows. Worldwide, I worry about climate change, forest fires, and what seems to be constant political fighting. Regarding my own household, the biggest 2018 concern is that my dogs destroyed a section of wood flooring and it is taking some time to get motivated to fix it. But have no fear because that is what New Year’s Resolutions are for, am I right?
I do not want to focus too much on the lows because everything can be a life lesson. Plus, I encounter enough highs on the daily to off center the bottom feeder times. 2018 was a year of adventure. My family navigated the circus that is having four kiddos plus a calling for youth athletics and multiple extra-curricular activities. My spouse and I persevered (or at the very least scraped by) when it came to carpooling, coaching, volunteering, and encouraging. We met many great people as we watched our kids grow, so thanks for that, 2018. New friends are welcome at every age and stage of life.
Photos and Flu Bugs
My 18-month-old son may still not have a baby book, but my crew did manage to get multiple family pictures during 2018. Black eyes, a migraine, and rainy weather could not stop us from a professional photo shoot in the spring. Plus I am getting better at taking pictures of all four of my little ones together. Now if I can only figure out how to fix the problem of red eye and distracted looks.
I could have done without the stomach flu virus that hit our household in May and then again at the start of the school year. The first epidemic canceled my one-year-old’s backyard birthday party and wreaked havoc on the laundry. The second one slowed down soccer, volleyball, and daily living. However, all of us were healthy for vacations to Arkansas, Kansas, Florida, and Kentucky. So let’s call it even, 2018.
Legos and Books
Some of the best parts of 2018 for me were how some things never change. For example: Legos. The staying power of Lego blocks with my children continues to amaze me every single year and this past Christmas was no exception. The cure for icy roads and below zero wind chills? A day inside with Legos and fuzzy pajamas. My daughters build complicated sets, then they dismantle them and go off-book to create their own genius scenes and games. They even started making their own Lego movies courtesy of an old (but very nice camera) gifted to them by my sweet aunt.
I also cannot forget to give a shout-out to all of the great books I read this year. There are too many to name, but thank you to the shortlist of: “Lethal White”, “One Day in December”, and “H is for Homicide” for keeping me reading well past my bedtime. Well, as long as I am giving praise, I think Amazon Video Streaming deserves a 2018 nod for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”. Everything about this show appeals to me. The adult humor, the time period, the fashion, and the characters are incredibly clever. Let seasons one and two join your watch-list!
Writing and Looking Ahead
I also cannot forget my writing in 2018. Nanowrimo in November took me to the edge of my sanity, but I wrote over 50,000 words and it was thrilling. Family Footnote, Black Hills Faces, local papers, and the internet continue to throw me freelance jobs that are appreciated, fun, and demanding in the best sort of way. I love being a mom, but I also tingle with excitement that I can carve out an identity beyond my household.
2018 will live on forever, thank you to Facebook and my inability to delete old photos from my phone. Cheers to a wonderful year! 2019 has a tough act to follow, but I am up for the challenge because my memories will not make themselves. Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Kelly