Aloha! I'm going to get all cliche here and say "oh my where has the year gone? " And also add a little reflection on 2013. I see everyone doing it on facebook, thanking people, cursing events, saying SAYONARA 2013, and giving it the boot! Truth is, this year has been my biggest year yet. My happiest year yet. My most jam packed full of love, year yet. I wouldn't go out to say my strongest year yet because 2011 was crushing and I, We, (Colton and his cheer squad,) conquered it and 2012. I can say with 100% conviction that I rocked my 2013. I was given the love of an amazing man who gave me the courage, strength, and opportunity to leave every single thing I had rooted myself to and move 6,000 miles away. I moved from my family, my friends, my little love, and my security... I started over with my guy in a new place and for the first time in a long time the only thing I had to focus on was myself. It sounds silly but I really learned a lot about myself this year. I know what I want for myself, my future, and Brady and I's future. Leaving home was the very best thing I could have done. As much as I love my people, my security blanket, I was clouded and in a rut without much drive for my future.
I've had some tragic times this year, some sad times this year, and some angry times this year. I still rocked it. The scariest part of this year was a week after I moved away, my Mamaw had a stroke and I was 6,000 miles away scared out of my mind that I would never see the matriarch of my family again. Everyday she's thriving and stronger and I couldn't say enough thank you's to the man upstairs. I got to stand in front of every person that my Kristen loves and be a testament to the love she and Robbie have. I got to button up one of my favorite people on this earth's wedding gown and try not to ugly cry while doing so. I had to say goodbye to my sweet little fatty Tobie, who I know is in kitty heaven meowing at the hottie kitty ladies. We also had a cancer battle in the family this year. My Aunty Sharon rocked that of course! Beat the living daylights out of it and is going to conquer 2014 a strong, healthy woman.
I've managed to make new friends while still cherishing the old ones. Meeting new people and sharing yourself with strangers is such a challenge for me! Sometimes I feel like such an antisocial awkward person but I challenged myself and now my world of great people has expanded.
I learned many of new trades including BLOGGING, Etsy selling, gardening, spinning clay on a pottery wheel, the coffee industry, the wedding industry, and the collectors industry. Every day I am growing more confident in my creations and learn how to promote and manage my "brand." I read one time that self-consciousness is a choice and this year I chose to be done with it. Still, it will always be there, but I show pride in myself, my life, and my passions. Oh I also learned how to drive Brady's best of a Dodge Ram. Made myself a mean parallel parking/ backing upper fool! This island has been magical to us. It's a safe haven if you will. We relish in the shore duty years in this beautiful place together. Our mortgage free, child free, 20 something responsibilities are just enough for us right now. 2014 will bring more steps for us but right now, this year, everything we are building is just perfect for us. I know 2014 will be just as good to us as 2013. It's all about outlook and I'd say ours is just about always perfect. And besides, even if our transition back to the mainland is tough, I'll just go barricade myself in a little room with my little niece or nephew and cuddle a baby all day. Yes I said it! =) Most of you heard on Christmas but my baby sister Chelsey is making me an aunt this spring/ summer!!!!!
So, I pray this coming year teaches me just as much as this past year. I don't really get into the resolutions. I feel like they are never executed because expectations are set too high. I will however do what I do every year. Try to make myself a better person than the last year. Be more patient. Show more kindness. Take more risks because this year's risk made my year. Finally, try to think outside of the norm and don't shut down other ideas because that's how you gain more understanding and insight.
We did decide to have one little resolution which is way achievable. We agreed to push each other to run as many 5-10K races as possible. Great health and great causes.
I hope this next year is as beautiful to you as 2013 was to me. I send off my 2013 with beautiful ALOHA! I hope you guys embrace and rock 2014.
As always, mahalo for reading throughout my very first year of blogging. I love you so very much and I appreciate your support.
Erin
Photo Credit to Mike Dragon of Dragon Studios.
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