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I'm not much for New Year's Resolutions, or really any sort of arbitrary "time to take stock," but there's something about the end of the year that makes some reflection inevitable. The year is ending, and what do we have to show for it?
For me, 2008 was a huge year of change. Although I remarried and relocated in 2007, this year is really the year when everything settled in -- the year when Georgia felt like home, the year we all settled into our new family.
This was also the year we almost lost my husband's mother, and the year that will bear the (hopefully) singular distinction of my landing in the ER on Christmas Eve. So it wasn't all sweetness and light, of course. Thankfully, a healthy dose of the not-so-great seems to make it a little easier to look forward to the next year. Hooray, 2009 -- bring it on!
I'm not the only BlogHer looking back on the best and worst of the year. Everywhere you look, folks are taking stock of 2008.
The Free Range Librarian is reflecting on the Top Ten Words and Phrases of 2008, including this gem:
Change: What we can finally see happening, just around the corner — if we're willing to remember that change means none of us stay in place; that there may be, in fact must be, sacrifices ahead for all of us; that we all have to participate in the process; and that we need to be patient. The accumulated problems of our current economic crisis are like weight gain: you didn't put it on in a day, and you won't take it off in a day. Have faith, be part of the solution, and hang in there.
Some bloggers prefer an ordered list of links backs to various posts throughout the year, such as you'll find at Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch and A Cowboy's Wife.
Florinda at The 3 R's is doing a slight variation on on that theme, linking back to some of her favorite posts about books she's read in the last year.
At Meryl.net we get an introspective that starts with her expectations for the year, the realities, and then a few thoughts as we move into 2009.
If you're looking for a year's end meme, look no further than slackermama, who recounts the past year and the changes having another baby have wrought in her life.
Karen at Chookooloonks is going ahead and making some resolutions, but she's also taking the time to recognize a momentous event from this year:
In the meantime, for the rest of this year, let's celebrate all we've accomplished in 2008 -- because even if we didn't finish our intended lists, I bet we did lots of other great things. For example, you probably made a new friend, or reconnected with an old one. You probably made someone feel really good at some point. You probably laughed until your sides ached. You probably even made something you're really proud of: a photograph, a good meal, a lovely gift ...
In my case, one thing I did that I'm really proud of was quit my job. It was scary, and economically-speaking, I have rotten timing, but 2 months later, I know it was absolutely the right thing to do. I'm so much happier.
And of course, you can't do a year-end round-up without Kalyn's favorite recipes from 2008, which I'm including in spite of the fact that she didn't include my favorite recipe of hers from this year. (If you're curious -- and/or hungry -- it's the leftover turkey and sweet potato black bean soup.)
It's okay, you've got the rest of today to look backwards. And then, it's on to our mistakes and triumphs for 2009. Happy New Year!
BlogHer Contributing Editor Mir also blogs about issues parental and otherwise at Woulda Coulda Shoulda, and about the joys of mindful retail therapy at Want Not.
