~ Memorandum ~
To: The Year That Was 2011From: Deb @ PaperTurtle
Date: December 31, 2011
RE: Year-end Performance Evaluation
Dear 2011,
I’ve been thinking about this letter to you for a few weeks now. I had formulated all the things I wanted to say about how much you totally sucked. Yes, sucked. But then I felt bad about blasting you because I certainly don’t want to seem ungrateful for all those amazing lessons you provided for me. Oh, let’s see… there was a father-in-law with throat cancer and months of horrendous treatments {he’s fine now}, financial challenges that were beyond us, a weekend in the hospital for Doug, the ‘letting go’ of our beloved northern Arizona property, a move to a…well…fixer-upper-house, ridiculous personal health issues for me, the loss of my job {and even worse, a friendship}, my mom’s ongoing battle with ovarian cancer, and my right arm in a sling to complete the year. Gosh, 2011, are you proud of yourself for all of that?
You know, 2011, I had to really dig deep to find the blessings you provided. Amidst all the aforementioned junk, you did offer up some good times in the mix, and I credit my trusty camera for capturing moments of joy that make me reconsider labeling you, 2011, as The.Worst.Year.Ever.
The ignorant bliss of good health was turned upside-down all around us. Thank you, 2011 for helping me to appreciate the gift of good health and the ongoing desire to maintain it. Thank you for showing us what it’s like to love someone with cancer and to cherish every moment and say all the things that need to be said. Thank you for keeping me humble in terms of where I live, and for proving to me that walls and location do not make it home.
Thank you for all those trips to California to be with my family – four of them in one year {when the norm is one or two}. And if it wasn’t for you, 2011, there wouldn’t have been that awesome road trip with my girl C to meet up with three different blog friends. Amazing. Oh! And what about that trip to Tennessee in May to witness the fairytale wedding of my brother Ron to my sweet new SIL, Ryann? Yeah…that was really cool.
I turned 50 during your reign, 2011. Carrie gave me the most amazing gift of love and friendship and surprise I could ever imagine. And the incredible gift that is “Team Teal?” Words just can’t express! I made new friends, reconnected with old friends, and really appreciated all those in between.
So you see, 2011, while you were busy doling out all those lemons, I came back at you with some darn good lemonade! Gosh, 2011, come to think of it, you really rocked in terms of friends and family and love and laughter this year. Maybe I’ll reconsider the “you sucked” part.
Respectfully {and with gratitude},
~ Deb
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ Memorandum ~
To: The Year That Will Be 2012
From: Deb @ PaperTurtle
Date: December 31, 2011
RE: Welcome!
Dear 2012,
Hello new friend! You are a sight for sore eyes, and not a tough act to follow given the talents of your predecessor. It is with hope and eyes-wide-open that I welcome you. I understand there are some amazing things in store for us during your tenure!
Let's do it!
Peace and love,
~ Deb
♥