Why isn't there more fanfare about this decade coming to an end? I haven't heard that much hype about it. Am I just missing all the coverage? I mean, this should be a big deal. We're getting ready to enter the twenties, after all! I think about the Roaring Twenties with F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby and flappers and parties and all that pizazz. Can this new decade, a hundred years later, possibly bring as much glitz? We shall see.
Right now, though, I'm sitting here with my mom and my New Year's champagne, Born in 1928, Mom lived a year and four months during those Roaring Twenties. Think about that for a minute. She has witnessed 11 decades ending and beginning! What an amazing life she has had. When I ran this by her for confirmation (not a math person here 😃), she said, "I'm old"! Oh, Mom 💛 I am grateful beyond words to be able to welcome in these twenties with her.
I find myself, as I always do, thinking about what a great year this has been. Although not as jammed packed as some years, so many highlights stand out. Those highlights spark memories from the past decade, and my heart is full thinking about . . .
TRAVELING
My travels didn't take me to the far ends of the world this year, but they did take me to where my heart desires the most. I got to see Christmas Lake and my sister's family during the spring when the lake was still frozen. It was gorgeous.
I also traveled back to Nebraska three times, to Kearney (oh dear Lord that trip--see below), to Alliance, and to Lincoln. All three trips are unforgettable, for different reasons. The Alliance trip was bittersweet. We sold our family home, and Mom and I went back to help with the final clearing out.
The Lincoln trip was planned to meet the newest Royal Baby, Violet. We got to meet her when she was two weeks old, tiny and new. Violet is the 11th Royal Baby joining our family this decade. In fact, when the decade began in 2010, there were zero Royal Babies! I can't even imagine what that was like.
And that Kearney trip, that's a story all its own, which brings me to
THAT FLOOD THING
Our Kearney trip to see family ended up being a lesson in faith, strength, and patience--for all of us. You can read about it here, but going through a flood is no joke. This trip goes down as the scariest experience of the year. And decade.
These travel adventures definitely highlighted my year. Best trips of the decade have to include my two trips to Maui and San Diego and my first ever trip to New York City! Unforgettable.
This year has also been highlighted with lots of visitors. Maybe that's why I didn't travel as much. My house was full of family and friends throughout the year. Lucy got to come to Denver twice, with her mom in May and with Bean in December. She was the best early Christmas present ever. Sister Peg and niece Micki and her kids visited three times this year! They visited in August, in November, and a quick stop on Christmas day on their way to ski. I love having them here. Sister Kerri visited twice--on Valentine's Day and in December. She always has an agenda, whether that means cooking up a storm or working in the yard. We were able to just relax on her December trip--a nice change of pace. My friend Ann Lowe visited in the fall. I hadn't seen her since last decade. This visit was long overdue and so wonderful.
and meeting The Pioneer Woman who was gorgeous and adorable.
But nothing could top my meet and greet of the decade--meeting The Boss in 2016 has to be the highlight of all highlights! He called me darling, in case you don't know, and HE KSSED ME!!
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| HIGHLIGHT OF THE DECADE! |
Still, the #1 highlight of any year is always and forever my family--Mom, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and the Royal Babies. I got to see everyone several times this year, and countless times throughout the decade. I am so grateful.
Not to end on a sad note, but every year has low points. As hard as those lows are, they're part of the balance in life. This year I watched my best friend say goodbye to her dad. Clarence was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is missed horribly by Eileen and her mom and the entire Czapla family, the town of Genoa, and me.
Over the decade, there have been many lows. Most recent and still heartbreaking was losing my Jewel. Almost two years have gone by yet I still feel her presence, still see her face, and still miss her energy, I know she's chasing those elusive rabbits across that rainbow bridge! 💔
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| Forever Juliet |
The ball is almost ready to drop (New York time--that's the best I can do). As this year and decade come to an end, my glass is full of champagne, my table is full of new books (I can't wait to dive in and read!!) , and my heart is full of love.
Here's to you and those you love. May your New Year and New Decade be blessed with good health, good friends, and a loving family. Nothing can top that.
