The new year is almost upon us. While I have never been a big resolution type guy, I do tend to be a bit reflective at the end of each year. Inherently, the end of certain time and the beginning of a new period provides opportunity for reflection on the past. It also provides those opportunities to start anew, which, while I like the idea, I never truly commit to resolutions of that sort.
Anyway, I feel like that when I look back, I am always searching for those big events in life. I always talk about how in 2005 Jackie and I married; in 2006, I graduated law school; 2007, we bought our first home; at the end of 2008, was made partner at work. I believe I do this because I want to attach something significant to each year, or part of me feels like the year was insignificant, which would be negative. This is a superficial way to reflect on the past, but it tends to be my first take on things.
Naturally, I failed to see that big, altering event this year. As I was contemplating what to write for this post, I figured I would look at my posts from last year around this time, to see if I wrote any big reflections. In this process, I came about posts about our dog, Ellie, who we got in January of this year. I read my posts about her first days in our house, along with Jackie's first couple blog posts discussing her activities. Its amazing how much changes in a year.
Does getting a dog count as a big event? I apparently didn't think about until I read these posts. It made me appreciate blogging in another respect...a time capsule. Reading old posts is rediscovering memories forgotten; rediscovering moments of love, of worry, of family and friends, of joy; for me, its rediscovering how significant these moments were, and why they still bring smiles to my face.
The joy and worry we experienced with Ellie throughout the year; the laughter we shared at Donkey basketball; the frustrations survived due to work and random projects around the house; taking our first walks around the neighborhood this past summer; the family camping trip, with the night we got washed out of our tent and slept in the Kia; all the random books I read, often great reminders of the fulfillment I receive from attending the library programs in town; to the multitude of trips taken to visit friends and family. It amazes me how much we experience in a year that we can forget when looking for those big things. We forget about the moments that truly make the year special, a year blessed.
Despite my recent long absent from blogging, I am grateful for the fact that I remained somewhat diligent to blogging throughout the year. On a night like tonight, I can read old posts and remember past events and feelings clearer. A new appreciation is gained for all that has happened. I think of how I could overlook the camping trip monsoon; how I could not place more significance on everything we went through with Ellie this year. Its a reminder not to look through a lens of expectation when reflecting, but rather to be completely open to all those past experiences, both little and small, because you never know what will stick with you the most.
I remember that monsoon of the camping trip...but I also remember watching a sunset over Lake Michigan the next night. I remember the feelings of shock when Ellie chewed her way through her condo; of pride when she finally was fully house trained; of worry when her hip required surgery; and of joy every time I came home from work and she was so excited to meet me; I remember that feeling of care and love over a dependent being.
Each year is blessed with great moments, and I'm glad I took the time to re-read old posts to help remember mine. If not, my ill-colored perspective would have led to a poor reflection on the past year, one not as uplifting and realistic as it has been tonight for me. To this end, Jackie and I will be going through our box of keepsakes tonight, reflecting on past moments of joy and happiness and love in our relationship, which started almost nine years ago. I hope others have a great New Year's, and that they are able to look back on 2009 with an appreciation for whatever the past year may have brought.
Anyway, I feel like that when I look back, I am always searching for those big events in life. I always talk about how in 2005 Jackie and I married; in 2006, I graduated law school; 2007, we bought our first home; at the end of 2008, was made partner at work. I believe I do this because I want to attach something significant to each year, or part of me feels like the year was insignificant, which would be negative. This is a superficial way to reflect on the past, but it tends to be my first take on things.
Naturally, I failed to see that big, altering event this year. As I was contemplating what to write for this post, I figured I would look at my posts from last year around this time, to see if I wrote any big reflections. In this process, I came about posts about our dog, Ellie, who we got in January of this year. I read my posts about her first days in our house, along with Jackie's first couple blog posts discussing her activities. Its amazing how much changes in a year.
Does getting a dog count as a big event? I apparently didn't think about until I read these posts. It made me appreciate blogging in another respect...a time capsule. Reading old posts is rediscovering memories forgotten; rediscovering moments of love, of worry, of family and friends, of joy; for me, its rediscovering how significant these moments were, and why they still bring smiles to my face.
The joy and worry we experienced with Ellie throughout the year; the laughter we shared at Donkey basketball; the frustrations survived due to work and random projects around the house; taking our first walks around the neighborhood this past summer; the family camping trip, with the night we got washed out of our tent and slept in the Kia; all the random books I read, often great reminders of the fulfillment I receive from attending the library programs in town; to the multitude of trips taken to visit friends and family. It amazes me how much we experience in a year that we can forget when looking for those big things. We forget about the moments that truly make the year special, a year blessed.
Despite my recent long absent from blogging, I am grateful for the fact that I remained somewhat diligent to blogging throughout the year. On a night like tonight, I can read old posts and remember past events and feelings clearer. A new appreciation is gained for all that has happened. I think of how I could overlook the camping trip monsoon; how I could not place more significance on everything we went through with Ellie this year. Its a reminder not to look through a lens of expectation when reflecting, but rather to be completely open to all those past experiences, both little and small, because you never know what will stick with you the most.
I remember that monsoon of the camping trip...but I also remember watching a sunset over Lake Michigan the next night. I remember the feelings of shock when Ellie chewed her way through her condo; of pride when she finally was fully house trained; of worry when her hip required surgery; and of joy every time I came home from work and she was so excited to meet me; I remember that feeling of care and love over a dependent being.
Each year is blessed with great moments, and I'm glad I took the time to re-read old posts to help remember mine. If not, my ill-colored perspective would have led to a poor reflection on the past year, one not as uplifting and realistic as it has been tonight for me. To this end, Jackie and I will be going through our box of keepsakes tonight, reflecting on past moments of joy and happiness and love in our relationship, which started almost nine years ago. I hope others have a great New Year's, and that they are able to look back on 2009 with an appreciation for whatever the past year may have brought.
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