As I sit reflecting on
2014, a year full of many adventures and misadventures, I am astonished to
discover that my last blog entry was New Year's Eve 2013. In 2013, I wrote what
was basically a top 13 of 2013, though, of course, it had a better name. I remember
thinking at the time that, rather than reflect on the many failings of the
year, reflecting on things learned throughout the year would be a fun
tradition. Now I sit, at the end of a year that has taught me so much more than
I ever wanted to learn, and words fail me.
What is causing this
inexplicable writer's block? Were the lessons too hard-won? Is it still too raw
to record? Maybe. I believe that the real reason is that, being truly insincere
and deeply shallow, personal reflection doesn't come easily and this year's
lessons don't fall into my usual flippant style. Still, having decided on this
tradition on New Year's Eve last year, writing my life lessons will be the
resolution that I keep. So, in no order of importance, here are the top 14 things
that I learned in 2014:
14. The saying, "All's well that ends well," is a crock. I've used this analogy before, forgive me if this is a repeat. My thankfully short experience with cancer was rather like picking up a snow globe and shaking. You can shake the snow globe, then put it safely on the shelf and walk away, but the dust doesn't settle in the same way and the snow globe is changed.
13. Optimistic shoes
rule!
12. Sometimes, it is
just as well to take a wrong turn. The extra miles may be the most enjoyable.
11. (Learned on the same
day as 12) Realize that when someone tells you that a hike is "not
bad", the term is subjective.
10. My children were
much more interesting to write about when they were little and I didn't
understand the method behind their madness.
9. Though I miss my
babies desperately, my children are turning into really incredible people. They
are my best friends, my peers, my confidants; not in the "I want to be
their BFF's" way, but in the "I enjoy their company, their thoughts,
their insights" kind of way.
8. Coconut oil makes
awesome cookies!
7. My panda has great
potential as an Evil Scientist. She is so sweet that it is difficult to picture
the diabolical plans lurking beneath the surface. Trust me, they're there.
6. Left-over pizza in
the fridge is like balm to the soul after a hard night.
5. Mornings are more fun
if you write a song to sing.
4. Don't send Daddy to
buy the girls their delicates!!!!!
3. All never ending
numbers are the same since infinity is infinite, but never ending 9's will get
you there faster.
2. I like words so much
that I have used pulling off a Band-Aid as an analogy for..... pulling off a Band-Aid.
1. Although I try to be fairly honest with my posts, sometimes the wording of things that I write gives a false impression of someone capable of dealing with things. I think that if my family and my Facebook friends ever started talking, they would all be very confused about who I am.
Here's to an awesome and
funnier 2015!
