December 31st
2012
A year ago, I knew that 2012 would change my life.
It was the most memorable year I've lived thus far.
*I turned 27. I'm officially closer to "30" than "20." I feel old. I thought I'd be married with babies by now.
*My dad actually remembered my birthday. He called me twice. I will cherish the memory of those calls.
*I lost a friend. Jeremy, rest in peace.
*I was blessed with the opportunity to speak at two youth retreats - ISLI in June and Mission at the Mansion in July. I reminded myself, and dozens of high schoolers, to look for the silver lining,
and to follow the yellow brick road.
*I accompanied Mom to Geisinger for multiple doctor visits. - She's having surgery in 2 weeks. Keep her in your prayers.
*I was laid off from my alma mater with two days notice.
*I made new friends, specifically Walt, Courtney, Cory, Ryan, Carissa, just to name a few.
*I coached the "Girls on the Run" after school program, and cheered them on for our 5k run.
*I have new baby boys to spoil, particularly Ethan and Asher, and many more to come.
*I went fishing in the dark.
*I rode a motorcycle.
*I went to jail. To visit an inmate, not to do my time.
*I went to a casino, gambled, and won a little.
*My Daddy died.
*I had my first ride in a taxi cab.
*I visited the sweetest place on earth.
*I fell in love.
*I celebrated my 5 year college reunion.
*I added a new kitten, Luna, to our family.
*I turned down a job offer in Arizona.
*I'm counseling kids who have lost a loved one, and I was asked to pilot the young adult component.
*I joined Pinterest.
*Nana spent a few months in a nursing home. Gram's struggling to find peace, joy, and money.
*I saw Jeff Dunham, Billy Currington, and Aaron Kelly (American Idol) live in Bloomsburg.
*I invested money into a retirement account.
*I had a job interview in Baltimore for a Catholic school counselor/middle school religion teacher.
*I did a lot of babysitting, dating, drinking, praying, texting, journaling, crying, and working.
Here's to a new year --- I'm working as a group supervisor at a day care; doing after care at SJNRA; and staying active at SJW with high school religious education, youth & young adult ministry, and spred; growing closer to Heartworks; being part of the family life task force of united churches and the lycoming county suicide prevention group; applying to jobs to utilize my degree, and always expanding my resume.
This year: I want to try zumba, get my butt on the road, not be afraid to say no to things/people that bring me down, take better care of my pets (like remembering to feed the fish), spend less time networking online and more in person, not be afraid to say yes to great opportunities, no matter how scary they might sound, spend more time with my grandmas before it's too late, buy a dishwasher, wear sunscreen, take more pictures, open my heart more, throw away unnecessary junk, and floss my teeth.
May 2013 be filled with happiness, love, peace, joy, excitement, employment, healthy relationships with family and friends, thanksgiving for all good gifts, and a lot of sunshine. :) Happy New Year!
~Mandy~
