I didn't get to write a christmas letter to go into my christmas cards, but after reading others, I decided I wanted to do one so here it goes:
2012 was quite and amazing year, it would be best described as a caroseul year as there with so many highs and lows and in both cases tended to reach the zenith of high and low. But in the end 2012 was a year of great change and in my mind positive growth. As many know Sonja has been a warrior over the past few years and showed cancer the door (which was to no surprise to anyone). To celebrate our lives and to finish a bucket list item we traveled over to Denmark and took a cruise of the baltic capitals. Our main goal was to get our feet on Sweden's soil, but we also had the opportunity to visit Russia, Finland, and Germany. It was a priceless trip and truly the cumulation of all of our travel. We returned home and had been living a normal life until the fall when we learned the cancer had come out of remission. Sonja again found an unbelivable strength and began fighting - and currently is nearing the end of chemotherapy. The doctor's are more than pleased by the reaction. Of course now I have to take her on another fabulous trip (My life is so hard!).
My S.O. had been looking for work . As some may know the economy hasn't been kind to those in construction and development. He had the opportunity to work a few different projects but was still struggling to find something fulfilling. Meanwhile we were still living in seperate homes, as my job was already an hour from White Plains and two hours from Brooklyn. In what seemed to be an instant (and ironically also the fall) he received not one, but two job offers. One in Manhattan and one in Westchester. With extreme courage he chose to take the job in Westchester so that we could begin our life together. It was simply by coincidence that three months earlier I had lost my apartment due to my landlord's divorce and had moved into a larger apartment with adequate parking. I have told Duff many times that he already gave me a Christmas gift by changing our lives and moving here. Quite frankly - I have never been happier, which surprised even me.
Kel had some tough times this year, but continues to surprise everyone with his strength and tenacity. He will not let parkinson's bring him down. It was a difficult change as he moved into assisted living, but I think he now enjoys the routine and he is still there with his dry sense of humor.
Dad and Deb continue to thrive in Tennessee. In the spring I got to visit them and also see my Uncle Ian from Canada. It as a great 3 days, and I loved being with family. It is just so good for soul. Deb got a new job that has fantastic hours and time off so they can still come to Connecticut whenever they want. And dad finally got a new jaguar, I told him that is what retirement is for! Live it up!
I also got to attend the wedding of my best friend. I was so honored to be there and so thankful they shared the moment with us. He has such a look of love in his eyes. It was one of the highlights of my summer to be there with them. We are so lucky as well that the woman he married is just so awesome! You couldn't help but love her - and she has a great sense of humor! It was just a great day!
So you can see a roller coaster year! Jobs were lost, and new opportunities came around. Homes were changed on short notice, but new homes were created. Cancer returned but was swiftly beat. Overall love overcame this year. And I couldn't possibly sit here and count the number of blessings because there were so many - large and small.
I am thankful for my family who has provided strength and guidance this year (my cousins, aunts and uncles), for my friends who have helped me laugh, for seeing friends I don't get to see so much, as well as friends who are family (particularly a summer dinner with take out seafood in Bolton), for the opportunity to be with someone I love everyday, for those who take care of and watch out for Kel, for the chance to travel and for the renewed health of those I love.
I hope everyone has a blessed 2013!