Saline Courier Column #4
I love the holiday season, usually. I enjoy decorating my home for Christmas, time with family and exchanging gifts. However, I didn’t feel much joy this year. Christmas was weird, awkward and uncomfortable for me, which isn’t typical. My home wouldn’t have been decorated had it not been for my husband putting up the tree and stockings. I just wanted the holiday to pass as quickly and painlessly as possible, save for Christmas morning with my husband and “kids” (dogs). I enjoy the time spent with them most of all. Thankfully, we’re past Christmas and thinking about what the future holds.
Today is the last day of 2011. We’re upon the eve of a new year. I love the traditions of beginning a new year; the countdown, the midnight kiss, ham and black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day for luck through-out the year, and of course, making resolutions. Whether you’re looking forward to what the New Year has in store for you or you’re just glad to see the current year end, New Year’s is a time to reflect on the past and to look to the future. It’s an opportunity to make changes for the better, to start over. It’s a second chance to try something you never have but always wanted too or to do something life-changing.
I’m glad to see 2011 end. I had high hopes for what this year would be for me. Unfortunately, it fell short but not for my lack of trying. This year, I was re-diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had my third surgery since 2009 to remove cancerous lymph nodes. There was an unexpected death in my family and an expected (yet, still heartbreaking) death in my husband’s family. We’ve had ill family, estranged relationships and I’ve been struggling with infertility.
I have to say, though, that this year has brought its fair share of blessings. I got to travel to Arizona to visit my best friend and spend a weekend with her in Las Vegas. I enjoyed a wonderful vacation with my husband, just the two of us. I had the opportunity to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. That may not sound like a pleasant experience but it absolutely was because it was there that I finally got a remission status! Plus, it was practically another mini-vacation with my husband. When we weren’t at the hospital, we were going to the Houston Zoo and the aquarium and just generally having a grand time.
There were several “firsts” in 2011…first time in Las Vegas and Houston, first time an otolaryngologist told me my vocal chord may never repair itself and the first (and second) time I sang to a public audience since my vocal chord paralysis two years ago. I won’t say 2011 was a bad year for me because though it wasn’t great, it also wasn’t terrible. However, I’m looking forward to 2012…whatever it brings me. The bad times build character and make you grateful for the good and the good times give you strength to get though.
So, what will your resolutions be for 2012? Will they be to better yourself? Or to give of yourself to help others? Personally, I resolve to pray more and build a deeper relationship with God. I resolve to live a healthier lifestyle. I resolve play with my “kids” more. I resolve to practice patience, to enjoy the simple things in life and to be content and happy no matter what obstacles are thrown at me. I’ll leave you with this quote from Neil Gaiman: “May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art (write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can) and somewhere in the next year, I hope you surprise yourself.” I think this is a fantastic wish for 2012. I wish you and yours a year full of beautiful memories and abundant blessings. Happy New Year! Until next week, be happy!
