I'm preparing our house for our first Christmas guests. Naturally, I have Christmas music on as I go on my merry way picking up and cleaning up after my very naughty but gleefully merry elves. I am old school so I prefer the classics. John Lennons', "Happy Christmas" came on. The first line of lyrics are:
"So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun"
It really forced me to reflect on what I actually accomplished this year. Everyone does that around this time of year. So these are the things I have done:
1. Packed my family up (again)
2. Settled my family (again)
3. Enrolled my twins in their first ever structured pre-school
4. Enrolled my oldest into "real" school -- 1st grade
5. Celebrated my 10th anniversary with my favorite husband
6. Committed to go back to school
7. Battled with my husband's stressful and highly time-consuming job
8. Watched my sister and her husband struggle with an ailing family member
9. Made some great new friends who I believe I will remain connected to for the rest of my life
10. Reconnected with some old friends
11. Celebrated, for the first time in 6 years, a Thanksgiving with my entire family
12. We will celebrate, for the first time in 6 years, Christmas with my entire family
13. Watched my children grow into mature, independent and happy kids
It's just one year. 365 days. A lot happens in a short time. We grow. We change. We laugh and we cry.
Cheers to 2012.
In the hopeful words on John Lennon,
"A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear"
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear"
