2014 came in very quietly for me as most of my New Year eve’s usually do. I have never really been one to go all out for New Year’s and often am in bed before midnight. This year was no different, I was at a movie with a friend at midnight. I have spent some time in the last week reflecting on 2013 and looking ahead to what 2014 might bring.
Initially my thoughts about 2013 were “Thank god that year is over!!!”. My happily ever after ended in April (or what I thought happily ever after meant); my heart was broken again in May when we had to put our sweet dog, Charlie down; I was painfully, slowly recovering from my car accidents and it seemed as though I was never going to know what a pain free day felt like again. At first glance back all I saw was the dark stuff, the negative events seemed to take the spot light.
But then I stumbled across a silly Facebook app that does a snap shot of your 2013 Facebook posts and pictures. Turns out my year wasn’t all that bad after all. In February, I was invited to attend the birth of my brother’s first baby and on February 21st, Henry Owen McDonald came flying into the world. I have attending 24 incredible births and this one was the most amazing event I have ever witnessed. My amazing brother became a father in an instant and the love in that room was overwhelming. Noah moved from elementary school to middle school, Ashley moved from middle school to high school and Emily graduated high school and started college at Camosun. We got to spend some time over the summer in Coombs helping a dear friend make her dreams come true and open the Hamilton Hobby Farm. I was starting to feel better and stronger every day, and by the end of the summer I was riding again here and there. Over the fall I managed to lose 30lbs and then one day woke up and realized I wasn’t in pain anymore. We’ve taken a quirky little rescue dog into our lives and we had a wonderful Christmas spent with family and friends. Perhaps the biggest lesson I learned this year is that happily ever after doesn’t reside with someone else for me, I am in charge of my happily ever after. My broken heart evolved into the acceptance that although we didn’t work as a couple, we do work as best friends and we will always be family. All in all I would say it was a pretty fantastic year!!
It’s interesting to me that we tend to focus on the negative in our lives and we allow it to overshadow all the positive that is around us. It’s a vicious cycle I find myself caught up in often. Life is full of challenges and struggles, some struggles are much harder than others but I think the bad helps you appreciate the good if you can stop and take a minute to see it.
I have no idea what 2014 holds - I will be 40 this year; I have 4 births lined up already; a brand new show season lies ahead for Ashley; Noah has found his passion in music; Erik and Emily continue to grow into the most incredible young adults; I am continuing to work at getting myself healthy and fit and look forward to seeing someone I can be proud of in the mirror.
Happy New Year to you all, and I wish you nothing but love and happiness in the coming year.
Seanna
