As we welcome a New Year

The week between Christmas and New Year's Day has always been one of my favorite weeks of the year.  It is full of tradition and it has always meant time spent with special people.  It has always filled my heart with joy.  Starting many years ago, when Nicol was young, it was a time when no one had school and that we could take time off from work to be together.  And that made it special.

For several years we would travel into the UP and stay at a small motel just outside of Rapid River.  We had a small room with two beds and a kitchenette.  It was the perfect little place to stay.  This was in my pre-dog days, so back then, we'd crate up the cat and head off to the great winter wonderland.  Once we were settled in, we would head to the small grocery store in Rapid River to stock up on food for our stay.  I so loved these times.  We'd watch football bowl games, we'd play games, and we'd just enjoy being together.  I loved sitting in the room and watching the snowfall...and I'd dream of the day that I could retire and move North and spend all of my Winters watching the snowfall in that beautiful place.  

At some point, we stopped making those trips North because of other commitments, but I never forgot how much I loved making them.  So I was extremely happy a few years ago to reinstate my trips North, although with a new destination-Copper Harbor- and new plans for adventures with the dogs.  So for the last three years, we've loaded ourselves up in the car and headed North.  And I have loved those trips so much.  We have spent time exploring alone and with friends; I have met new people and experienced things I could never have imagined.  I have enjoyed the peace and serenity of that beautiful place.  And I once again got to sit in my cozy room and watch the snowfall.

I was really looking forward to our trip North again this year, however, it was not to be.  With all that has been happening, I had to forgo my trip and just stay home this week.  I was disappointed, upset, angry that I wasn't going to be able to make the trip.  I am sad not to get to see my friends and not to spend time on the shore and in the woods.  On top of the disappointment I've been feeling, I've been a bit under the weather as well.  So this week was a bit of a bust for me with lots of negative feelings.  Thankfully today I started to feel a bit better and I pushed away the negativity.  

This year has been a great year.  I've had some amazing moments and some really tough ones.  I've spent the entire year fighting Imke's ear infection and I lost my grandma, but we also reached our goal of traveling to all 48 of the Capitol Buildings in the Continental US and I've seen some amazing sights.  I have been reminded how lucky I am to have such an amazing daughter and just how many amazing people are in my life.  

Tonight, as I sat down to relax for the evening, Imke snuggled up right next to me and Maddie at me feet, I began to reflect on how lucky I am.  I used to think that the changing of the year was such a big deal, but I don't believe that any more.  Any day is a great day to do amazing things with your life, to make a difference, to make a change, to embrace the moments, to learn and to love, and to live!  I realized that it doesn't matter where you go or where you are...all that matters is who is on that journey of life with you.   I am blessed and fortunate.