It all began with a fire in my toaster oven.
The shrinky-dinks caught fire, Teensy-Weensy was traumatized, the toaster got hosed-down in the sink, and – poof! – there began 2012.
I muttered, “Happy New Year,” to myself while buying a very nice new toaster oven at Bed, Bath, and Beyond with one of my zillions of 20% off coupons.
Next up, the dryer’s heating element wouldn’t turn off. Uh, oh. No small problem.
We said hello to a new dryer in February, and we just made the last payment on it yesterday.
Next, the waffle-maker quit mid-waffle. Hello, fancy new waffle iron!
Then there was my trusty blender {#3 in my line of blenders I’ve owned as an adult}, which decided to crap-out just as margarita season was getting underway last June. Again, this time I replaced it with a really nice one.
I was starting to feel like it was the year of The Great Appliance Revolt {only, why weren’t my tres-ugly, ancient microwave and dishwasher joining this party?!}.
Resilience.
As I peer back at the year that has passed, I see that “resilience” was the theme, for the challenges did not stay within the realm of appliances. They came in the form of ungracefully playing Caroline Ingalls during our winter storm last January; in putting my own pursuits aside so that Mr. Fresh Scratch and my kids could pursue their own; in the form of bouncing-back from hurts I never saw coming; in the surprisingly-hard-to-swallow face of aging; in the heartache that came with two very close friends moving away; and in the act of letting go, which is always bittersweet.
We are each imperfect, each of our lives broken in some way. But resilience is found in the moments – big and small – when we decide to let the blemishes be a part of what makes us beautiful. Resilience is accepting the challenges and the ways they knock the breath out of us and moving forward, anyway. Resilience is living with disappointment, but not letting it steer us or take the wind from our sails.
Resilience is rockin’ those reading glasses.
And, while I know in my heart that I’ve kind of had my fill of having to be resilient so much that it became the theme of an entire year for me, I am going to have to forge ahead into this bright new year with the secrets I’ve learned tucked into my shallow front pocket.
What is my word for this year? As I soaked in the afternoon winter sunlight that is such a rarity in the Pacific Northwest yesterday, I decided that it is simplify. Nothing earth-shattering there. My theory is that the simpler life is, the more present I can be for everyone, most importantly myself.
Because, as the great Dr. Phil has said, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”
And so, great universe, no Shrinky-Dink fires this year, please.
Did you have a theme for 2012 – good or bad? How about one for this new year? Please share!
Wishing you a Merry New Year,
The Very Resilient Mrs. Fresh Scratch
Some of us call that strength. “Honey, you are the rock…”
Oh, such a nice thing for you to say, plus a Coldplay reference. Trying to get on my good side?
You are the Rock to your Mister’s Roll! This was such a lovely post, it brought a tear to my eye (and I have a tiny Grinch heart). I love your 2013 word – best of luck! My word, or rather motto for 2013 is BRING IT! Cheers to a New Year, my friend!
Happy New Year to my sparkliest friend! Thank you for your kind words. It is an honor to have touched your “tiny Grinch heart.”
beautifully, beautifully written. One of my favorites. Here’s to simplicity.
Thanks, sweet friend. It was nice to look over the year, give it some screen time, and let it float out into the universe…behind me.
Great post. So encouraging to read. I love you in your reading glasses!
Thank you, Paula! Happy New Year!
I hate when things break! It happens more when you have kids…my kids anyway. My son’s iPod just broke (that he just got for Christmas). I had a good 2012 though. No complaints. As long as all my peeps are healthy, I’m happy!
Grrrr, iPod!! If I were you, I’d go sit in my fancy, pretty home office and figure out what to do
. I am so glad you had a wonderful year and hope that this new year is even better! Happy New Year, Joann!
Resilience is something to be proud of having for sure. And simplicity is one of the best things going I think. I’ve got big plans to get back there but can’t imagine when. Which I guess says it all doesn’t it???
Last year I chose the words strength and kindness, along with the hope to extend my word from the year before (peace) and they served me very very well. Exactly the words I needed for 2012 I think. This year I thought I had it chosen early — thrive was sounding good to me — but the year ended a little more humbly than planned and thrive just ended up sounding too perky and unrealistic. I finally got the right word popping into my head the other day, which seems to be the way it has to happen. Wholehearted. I figure even when things are tough this word still applies, more than thrive probably, because whatever I need to do I should put my whole heart into it and hopefully that will help. Whether it’s helping a struggling kid or dancing on the beach!
I’m glad you had the time to think about how much I can tell you bring to your family, and also thought to make sure you’re doing well by yourself. And I like your glasses!! I’m hovering around the edges of getting my first pair myself! Happy New Year ( a little late but that’s the way I roll) my friend.
Thanks, Jennifer. I love your word of the year. In simplifying, I’m kind of embracing that word, too; if I’m not going to do something wholeheartedly and authentically, then I am not going to do it. Hoping all is okay with you and wishing you some beautiful views out your window in the next week or so as we get some clear, cold weather. Happy New Year!
Thanks. I’m hoping a good simple start to your year too. Happy New Year.
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