I especially love when folks put in that sum-up-the-year letter that tells me all about what has occurred over the past year of their lives. Yes, today we all have the luxury of keeping in touch daily with emails, text messages and countless social media sites, but it's so easy to miss things that happen in our friends' and loved ones' lives. That's why I love these letters so much. It's such a lovely way to say to others: hey, I care about you. I care about you so much that I want to let you into what's been going on with me this past year so you can share a part of my life even when you couldn't be here every day. I find it so charming and so special for that, but also because it shows me that the people who do it actually reflect on their lives, appreciate what the year has brought to them and are probably already looking forward to the new year and the things they can include in next year's letter. What optimism! What spirit and joy! I really, really love that.
So for as much as I love them, I often wonder why I have never done one myself. I DO send cards, and sometimes I'll even add a special note instead of just my name. But why haven't I done the letter? Probably because if I did? It would look something like this....
Dear Friends and Family,
Hello! It's been another year here in the Fox household (that'd be me and my plants -- but one I've kept alive for 18 years now, so that's something!) and, wow, was it wonderful.
I finally managed to join a gym this year after a few years' hiatus in an effort to make sure I starting taking care of myself again. That was last January of course and I'm happy to report that I've gone at least four or five times since.
The bad, hacked-up layer in my hair compliments of a free haircut coupon at Great Clips two years ago finally grew out enough that I could get a decent haircut again this year. Cost Cutters proved much more fortunate this time. (Even splurged and went without a coupon! Go me!)
I managed to change the oil in my car every 5000 miles as recommended by the factory requirements. And by changing the oil, I mean taking it in and sitting patiently in the waiting room while someone did it for me. Oh, come on: you know you always push that limit yourselves and the patient part is really an achievement.
I seriously, seriously contemplated using my passport.
I made it a goal to eat more fresh meats and vegetables this year instead of pre-packaged frozen meals, again in an effort to better my health. I'm happy to report that most months I managed to consume them too before they all spoiled. The one month (only one!) they did (early last summer; it was hot and my electricity got cut off) and I ate them anyway, I didn't even get sick. I think that was the turning point in my year. Things were looking up!
I never once unexpectedly ran out of toilet paper and had to use coffee filters in a pinch. (If you remember my letter from 2004, you know what I'm talking about.) Of course, it's because I can just take it from work now*...but what a lovely extra perk I have at a job that I've managed to hold down for more than three months for a change.
And I even wore matching socks a couple of times!
So with this year coming to a close and all these accomplishments of which to be proud, I can't wait to see what 2013 might have to offer next. Dare I say it might even be the year that I stay up past 11pm to watch the New Year actually come in? Guess you'll have to wait until next year's letter to find out!
Holiday blessings to you and yours!
Stacy
:-)
[Now, before anyone really get silly on me, of course this is all in jest. I made up all of the above -- except that haircut layer; that seriously was a doosie! -- and am actually really happy about 2012. Maybe if I get inspired, I'll do a part 2: the Real Letter I would send if I had half the motivation and drive that my friends do who send these. :-) In the meantime? Hope you all had an amazing year and realize even the smallest bits of happiness that came into your life this year are worth celebrating.]
*I don't condone theft.
