Thursday, December 13, 2012

Sort of/Kind of Year in Review...But only when I feel like it

I wonder why, over the past few months, I've felt compelled to begin writing here again.  After so long.  I suppose it's just the excitement of all that is happening in my life.  Or maybe it's that little bit of me which is moderately extroverted that is waging a battle against the overwhelmingly introverted side of me.  Anyway, a need for documentation has pushed forth and here we go.

2012, what a interesting mistress you have been.  Overwhelming good with just a few dark spots.  A bit like the Blueberry Lemon Ginger jam I made for wedding favors.  Ultimately sweet and luscious with just the slightest hint of sour and spice to keep things mysterious and interesting.  Where to begin?  As opposed to a chronological order of events I'll focus on large subject areas of happenings.

Annabelle!
There is the old saying "To the world you are one person but to one person you are the world."  I never fully understood this phrase until Annabelle arrived.  So delightful you are to me.  You are my world.  Annabelle will never remember 2012 (and if she does she's a certified genius) but it was a year of transformation for her.  Of course so was 2010 and 2011.  I suppose all the early years are transformative.  You began the year just barely cruising along on your two feet and then in less than a few months you were running.  Now you not only walk and run, you gallop!  And jump and kick and boogey!  Boy do you like to dance!  You are a natural born dancer.  Swaying to the music as early as 5 months old.  You now amuse not only me but your daddy, your entire extended family, and pretty much every other person in your weekly Rockin Railroad class.  I will have to enlist you into an early childhood movement class shortly.  We'll avoid ballet for now as I'm not a fan of 1)pink, and 2) tutus.  You just don't dance, you move to the music.  I don't think I've ever seen a child of your age who can pick out the rhythm of music and move accordingly.

Of course, not all your progress in 2012 has been physical.  They have been artistic (you lovely drawer you!) and cognitive.  You understand EVERYTHING!  You may not be speaking much yet but I'm fairly certain that's because your just waiting to speak in full, grammatically correct sentences.  I can't wait to see what 2013 brings!  So much to luck forward to.

John!
2012 has been a good year for our relationship.  I think all new parents experience a period of relational doldrums.  You're sleep deprived.  You're on different schedules.  And you just forget that the relationship requires tending.  So 2012 started with a lack of a relationship.  The institution of regular date nights.  More talking.  More intimacy.  Well, that does a relationship good.  We're now in a nice, comfortable place.  Companions again.  Co-parents.  Partners.  Lovely.

Betty!
Well, Betty is just Betty.  Silly, lazy, hungry, and utterly adorable and lovable.  Oh, Betty.  It doesn't matter if its 2010, 2011, or 2012.  you are just Betty.

Career!
What a wild ride I have been on.  A year of change.  A year of growth.  A year of challenge.  A year of travel, travel, travel.  So many mixed emotions here.  I suspect there is more change to come very shortly - all of my making.  Hopefully i will have news soon.

Politics!
At the end of the day politics favored progress.  We shall see if this continues.

Ezra!
Welcome Ezra!  Annabelle has a cousin.  My mom has another baby to love.  My sister's grief is now love.  What a gift you are Ezra.  I can't wait to baby you some more in 2013.  

Sadness
And no year is complete without just a little sadness.  I won't rehash it all here.  Now with some time and distance I can see the lesson that was meant by that episode of sadness.  It has reaffirmed my long standing beliefs about the dignity and independence of women.  I hope to never have to deal with a similar situation in the future.

Summary
At the end of the day you were a pretty good friend to the Lee-Morrow clan 2012.  Lets hope that 2013 is equally lusciously sweet and spicy.

2013 - Bring it!

No comments: