Today has been a very grey, icy, rainy, cold day. Today was the kind of day where pulling the blankets up over my head was clearly the best decision. A lot of the day has been spent quietly listening to the ice and rain tap on the roof relentlessly and hear the wind howl through the trees out back. While I did brave the elements twice to get some groceries and then again later to mail some letters, that time was hurried and I spent every second outside of my home thinking about returning to my warm layers of blankets and new slippers.
We have spent the last few days in Indiana, celebrating the holiday season with family. This time of year is overwhelming at times for me because there is just so much to be grateful for. While the packages and presents and gifts were piled high for everyone, I did my best to sit quietly and reflect on the year and give thanks for all that my family and I have been given and accomplished.
At this time last year, I was on my winter break as a fifth grade teacher. Now I am on my winter break as a first-year assistant principal. My new position, thus far, has been one of learning and excitement. I am very glad I took this opportunity, and look forward to continuing my role as an administrator in 2016. I do miss my colleagues very much from my old school, and there are elements of teaching that pull at my heartstrings...but overall I am very satisfied and grateful for the change in career path.
At this time last year, I had completed my one and only half marathon. My training had slacked and I lacked motivation and inspiration. I now find myself back in my running gear, covering more mileage each week. On January 1st, I will have registered for five different half marathons, including two in Wisconsin, two in Illinois, and one in Indiana. I will put my name in for the New York Marathon, and will consider the Chicago Marathon again as an alternative. Whether or not I can get my training back to full marathon level remains to be seen, but it is something I have thought a lot about these past couple months. I have seen some of the weight return that I had shed during my marathon training. While I was a bit more tired and sore during those days, I believe I was also happier. I think making a push to return to marathon fitness will be a good challenge this year for me. If I give my full effort and do not succeed, then I believe I will still find satisfaction and reward in my failure.
At this time last year, our family was finishing the holiday season in our townhouse. Now we are enjoying a new home and still unpacking and learning how to live in the larger space. We love our new home and look forward to many years here, making memories and being a family under this roof.
At this time last year, our girls were six and three years old. They have grown tremendously and are my pride and joy. While life is never perfect in parenthood, my daughters are the bedrock of who I am. They challenge me every day to be a better person, communicate clearly, and seek out the fun in life. Audrey is moving quickly through her academics, and is a wonderful reader and has developed quite the sense of humor. Violet is my Little Warrior and brings her own brand of humor and enthusiasm everywhere she goes. They love each other so much, and Audrey is a good big sister. I can also see that they both have loving hearts and compassion in their actions, which makes me feel a sense of accomplishment as a parent. I truly feel that our only job as parents is to protect our children and provide them with opportunities to experience life. They are amazing young people.
Now I turn from looking back on 2015 and focus on the year ahead. What goals do I have? What things will we accomplish as a family? Individually? I anticipate a year of continued learning. The girls will continue to become avid readers and explore sports and performing arts. I will continue learning how to be an impactful administrator and how to help the students and teachers within my schools. We will explore our surroundings as a family, find new adventures and continue with our traditions.
The sun has set, and the night has grown silent. The rain has stopped, and the waters freeze as the darkness envelops us all. The possibilities of the new year are seemingly endless, and the actions of our past have only one outcome. I take a deep breath and give thanks for all that has been given to me and my family. I exhale and contemplate what a wonder life is and how fortunate a thing it is to be alive. The universe is a grand, mostly unknown place. I sit here trying to build what I believe to be the most important elements of living during this brief window of time I have been given. It is all so wonderful. It is all so exhilarating.
-a
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