2016 has forever changed me. It damn near broke me. But 2016 also had moments of great joy that sustained me. I'm not sure a year has had this effect on me since 2007. And I hope 2017 doesn't continue the trend.
I lost my dad this year. My dad. It has rocked me to the core. I am nowhere near "over it" and I haven't "moved on." How the heck does a person do that?! I've been trying to figure it out for almost a year with no luck.
My dad's death was followed by more death. I can't remember a year where I've experienced so much death. And in such a short span. I hope 2017 brings more beginnings and less endings.
It wasn't all bad.
We bought our first house. We celebrated 3 beautiful years of marriage. Our sweet babe turned two. My brother got married and had a baby. We celebrated friends who got married or are expecting babies.
We're still standing so there's that great achievement.
I sincerely hope that 2017 is a better year. I hope to gain some sense of control over my feelings. I hope to reign in my grief and turn it into something more positive. I hope our little family stands firm together through whatever the new year might bring. I hope for health, for everyone. I hope that next year I'm writing with a more joyous tone.
The truth is 2017 scares the hell out of me, I hope it's a kinder, gentler year.
