So another year come and gone and, at the risk of sounding even older than last year, I don’t think it could have happened any faster.
Things are pretty different now, but I got such a nice, gentle transition into it, I’m okay. There was an initial soggy separation period, but then and luckily I got busy enough to occupy my time and my mind. That helped me pass through the emotional stage pretty quickly, and now I think I'm actually okay with happy about being alone in the house.
Well, there is the dog. So, I’m not actually alone. I still have familial responsibility. And she’ll probably outlive me.
I am currently reaping the joy of what can happen when you open up to and ask for help from a supportive and most kind friend. I am learning that this is acceptable and, in fact, what life is all about. I am un-learning a lifetime of bulldog-ed-ness about forcing my independence on myself.
I’ve been in Indianapolis six years now. And since May of this year, I’ve worked in Plainfield, a few miles west of Indianapolis. If someone had told me this ten years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. I’m grateful, mind you, but I’m expecting greater things.
I feel like 2007 and 2008 have been years of analysis and preparation and that 2009 will be more of an active year. I hope so, anyway.
And here’s my annual tribute to my tiny corner of the Universe in 2008:
- Work
- Not being an employee, not having performance reviews and not spending every day of my life talking about the time I have until retirement from the one job I’ve had my entire life
- Dave Ramsey, the financial father I never had
- No more conversations with ex-husband EVER EVER EVER about ANY ANY ANY thing
- Sticking to my principles
- People who give so freely and unconditionally to others
- Amy Jointer, Amy Jointer, Amy Jointer
- Writer’s Success Group, Cynthia Morris, and the armchair view to her journey
- More faithfulness and peace
- Road trips and rental cars
- I-40 between Knoxville and Asheville
- The nice men at Carney Sandoe and Cary Academy
- Email, Netflix, Libraries
- Five fantastic years of Boston Legal
- Eye contact
- High school graduation and the trip to college
- Being thought of, a surprise card and email
- A Texas lawyer and parents who do the right thing
- The characters of my son and his friends
- Friends, teachers, writers, mentors, coaches
- Hearing "It's all bullshit" and knowing it was time to just do it
- Good books
- Politics, democracy, this country and learning from different points of view
- Freedom, a great house-sitter and a worn out welcome
- Perspicacity
- And of course, health, safety, comfort, hope, faith, and love
I am looking forward to 2009. I have it on good authority that good things are coming.