Though the last decade of my life has been by far the best of the four (I am forty-ish) it has, of course, had it's ups and it's downs. Raising nine children, seven of them having other mothers is not easy. Neither is marriage, especially when it is a third for each of you, even when it (perhaps the marriage, certainly the husband) is by far the best thing that has ever happened to you.
But it isn't so much the decade for me that is so notable, but the last year. While 2009 was awful, 2010 couldn't have been better, and I am sad to see it go.
To compare, 2009 was full of illness, discontent and misery. The loss of my health, the loss of a job, the loss of relationships, and almost, loss of myself in the process.
So it's no surprise that I was happy to see 2009 go. In fact, looking back, I didn't throw a big enough party to escort 2009 on it's merry way and invite 2010 right on in. I don't even think we stayed up past 9pm.
But I won't be celebrating this New Year. I'm sad to see the old one go. In 2010, I received so many blessings, and recognized so many that I had overlooked. Let's count them.....I have acquainted myself with long forgotten priorities. In the process, I have regained some of my health.
My marriage is stronger than ever....
I have identified and tossed aside false friendships, and prioritized those that are true. I have made new friends, and I have renewed some old friendships that mean so much to me. I've (happily) seen good friends recover from serious illness and seriously sick relationships. I've even been lucky enough to witness a little of "what goes around, come's around" and I'm ashamed to say I've enjoyed it (but not too much, I don't want it coming back around to me:).
I got the wonderful news that (finally) we can expect my niece to be adding to the size of our already huge family with a beautiful baby boy. I sure don't miss my job and my stress level is lower. I have more time for my family and friends. Christmas, an event that usually has me frazzled and stressed, was wonderful, although with one son too far away, and another so close, but yet still too far, it was still not quite perfect.
It seems I'm no longer Floundering, and my Mojo has been located. Mission accomplished! I suppose I'll have to revise my profile, and even the title of my blog, and think of something else to blog about. A new project...
No, I can't say I'm happy to see 2010 go, but I'll remember it fondly, while I welcome 2011, and trust that it will bring happiness as well. After all, I'm bringing all those blessings from 2010 with me, and we have that new baby to look forward to!
Happy New Year everyone, it's going to be a great one, I can feel it.
