I had lofty goals for 2016. I dove in deep into #SOULutions. As 2015 came to an end I was very much in a #byefelicia mood. Goodbye. Good riddance. So long. Farewell. Auf Wiedersehen. Good Night.
Twenty-sixteen began with tears. I though that when the clocked ticked over that it would be magic. The a fairy godmother would wave her wand and twenty-fifteen would have just been a bad dream, I would be going to the ball with the handsome prince and life would be different. Better. Less Shocking. Something else.
It was something else indeed. The clock struck twelve oh one and I broke down. This was the first moment of my life that I had to face a new year without a parent. I didn't think it would hit me like that. So painful. So tragic. So sorrowful. Such a blow. It wasn't over. The shock was over and the sorrow snuck in, right under the glow of the New Years Eve ball drop. Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, Tears.
There were lots of tears and sorrow in twenty-sixteen. There was also lots of laughs and enjoyable moments and surprising days and beautiful new memories.
A new semester began with my study girls in the same classes!! YAY! They breathe life into these old bones, this dried out brain.
We joined Planet Fitness about the same time The Adhesive began working at a local fast food joint. We worked out faithfully. I kept running long distance and well it's no surprise that I became injured. Being at the gym was helpful in my rehabilitation. I started C25K again in March.
The semester ended and summer began! Yay! I signed up for a summer class. An Art class I need to meet my degree requirements. It was a surprising and enjoyable class. I spent a day at the Museum with my guys. Such a wonderful day.
Because I missed running the Rock N Roll Marathon Series in New Orleans due to my injury we deferred those funds and travel plans to go on a proper vacation. We went to the Grand Canyon. There are no words to describe it. Awe Inspiring isn't enough. The colors, the depth, the beauty, the views, the vistas, the cliffs, the history. It took my breath away. While we were there I was fortunate enough to meet up with a friend from the past, way back. She was like my other mother. She was my best friends mother. I grew up across the street from her. She is one of my fondest memories from childhood. It was such a joy to catch up with her.
I finished up the summer semester and had a few weeks off before The Adhesives sophomore year began and my next semester as well. The Adhesive began new medication and due to his lack of motivation to obtain his drivers license he rides the bus to and from school.
It wasn't until September that it hit me. There had been sad times in during the year, moments that hurt my heart. And for how crazy it sounds, I cried on my birthday because my dad didn't call me. #thanksdad #ijustcanteven
The sorrow continued throughout the remainder of the year. My husband and I attended Re|Engage, it was helpful, but overwhelming. It was sorta in the middle of that I realized it was too much for me. And that I'm an introvert, like, seriously. It was a good class but it was too loud and too many people and too raw. I thought I could get a tattoo and call my grief over. Re|Engage brought back a lot of memories and questions.
Running really helped me to get through these times, this year. My runner girls kept me going, listened to me, hugged me tight through the tears, logged the miles with me.
I was chosen to be in the Mentor Program at Collin College in October. It has been such a wonderful opportunity. My mentor has helped me realize my potential and, well mentored me. I ran a 5K with my niece in October. It was so fun I really enjoyed spending time with her. She's a beautiful and bright young lady. October also brought with it normal. Normal. For the first time since before dad died we had a Family Day, although everyone wasn't available, it was fun! My family, my brother and his girlfriend, The Rents we went to the pumpkin patch, took pictures, laughed.so.hard, went on the hay ride, ate hot dogs and pumpkin fudge. Such an outstanding day!
The next weekend I ran with my BFF at White Rock Lake. It was her goal to Loop The Lake on her birthday! And we made it!! All the way around! So proud of her!!
In November The Adhesive approached a milestone, he turned 16. How did we get here? I spent the day with my sister and The Adhesive spent the day with his friends playing AirSoft. Back to normal. Normal, I need more of it. We made plans to get together for Thanksgiving and we all showed up! All the siblings, spouses and kids! Normal. We laughed so hard, we took pictures, we ate good food.
My guys left from there to go out of town and I spent the weekend doing homework in silence. So.Needed! Musical season has begun! I met my sister at fair park for Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.
The first Friday of December I had a tour and admissions appointment with Texas Women's University. Oh. Em. Gee! This is becoming a reality. Y'all I could live in the library! I wonder if they allow such a thing? Maybe I could be the first! :)
My sister and I attended the next musical Christmas Extravaganza. It was so fun! Afterwards, we met up at my brothers house for Normal. Our sibling Christmas day. All the siblings, spouses and kids. Yummy food and lots of laughs, hugs, and joy, real joy, beautiful memories and normal.
A year that began sorrow ended in joy.
Psalm 30: 5b Sorrow may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
You may not know how long the night will last, but you are always promised morning. Morning will always come.
I wrote out my #SOULultions for 2016
Embrace GraceEngage Gratitude
Be Available
Believe the best (of myself and others)
Break Free from worn out cycles
Daily Connections
Do hard things
Let Go of the outcome
Learn to be vulnerable
Live authentically
Give of myself
Grow stronger
I did some of this well, consistently. Others, not so much. Progress. Making progress is the goal every year. I took two or three steps forward, and only one or two back.
2017.... #SOULutions
Top Three: Embrace Imperfect. Eight classes and 3.25 or above GPA. Run 850 miles.
No comments:
Post a Comment