Awestruck on the eve of my 33rd, in the midst of a year tough to depart with. I honestly dont want this chapter to end in two months. But tradition beckons it does. Why is it we file away great segments of life in so-called calendar years? Whos in charge of that decision? I guess at least in this part of the world, the seasons take some of the blame. Colder weather and holiday décor define a page break. And then, we all need those separate files for the cloudy days. Ive had a few of those in year form. This was not a cloudy one. The sun beamed bright on 2013 and still hasnt set down. Of course, the travels have been well documented. Friendships and love less publicly, but certainly more appreciated. I vividly collected this year every smile, every hug, every joyful tear, every moment of happiness, and every time a three year old said Uncle Cory until I looked his direction. I cherished the hearing of great news coupled with new opportunities that have seemed to come in waves after years of wondering if what I was doing was even worth doing. I can still see the younger version in my mind who got bored during a layoff and started walking around in the woods. Any woods. Every woods. Then, all the woods. Five years later: Map Dot, Kentucky. An undefinable, almost magical presentation of forgotten places in my state shared with so many that have felt the same way. And the real people that call those Dots home have taken that creation as their own and adopted it. A gift, in pictures. Too much for words. Ironically, 2013 has also been one of seven day workweeks due to increased economic demand. Daily, the company stock price is flashed on a screen at work for all to see. Maybe in 33 more years, Ill know if that meant anything. Now, it just means weekends off are rare. And if life pursuits happen there alone, it meant basically writing off 2013 as a complete loss as early as February. So, to chase a dream, I was forced to gather what little free time I had as a bird gathers twigs for a protection of its own future. I built a life anyway. So now, I dont see that workload as I reflect. Not a moment of it. I see everything else that has happened. And for those things, thankful that 33 has come. I can, with optimism, already see sunshine glowing through the seams of the 2014 file. Hello, 33. Glad you found a place in a very great 2013.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 13:36:19 +0000
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