welcome, fresh decade
Jan 3, 2010 
Don’t get me wrong: I love a good, glittery New Year’s party. But the older I get, the more appreciative I am to simply be around people I love when the clock strikes midnight and we erupt in sudden, spontaneous fits of happiness. Even if it’s just symbolic, the slate wipes clean and anything feels possible.
In the ramp-up to New Year’s, my husband and I usually have an informal review of the year that’s drawing to a close. And for a couple years in a row, it became a little family joke because Mike, forever the sunny optimist, would declare, I think this is our year, baby.
As scrappy sort of entrepreneurs, it was – and sometimes still is – tough going. When are we going to catch a break? When might we ever afford to buy a place of our own? When might things feel like they’re starting to click?
So I snapped up this card when I saw it couple years ago, and it’s been up ever since. But not because I’m still waiting for our magic year. More because I have come to realize that every year is our magic year.
I don’t mean to sound too Stuart Smalley. Like everyone else, there have been years when shitty things have happened to people I love. And it’s hard to untangle big, sad, unfair things from the memories of those years.
But more and more I realize: every year is our year. Just by the sheer and simple reality of being here and doing what we want to do, surrounded by people we love. Here’s to more of that. For all of us.
Reader Comments (8)
That last paragraph says everything. So glad to have made your acquaintance in 2009; hoping for more encounters in 2010.
I had to smile when I read your post, because my husband and I seem to have that identical conversation every year. My resolution this year is to work on wanting the life I have....as opposed to wanting my life one year or three years or ten years from now.
In any event, your comments resonated with me at the start of this year. Best of luck to you--and I do hope that "this is your year."
Just wanted to send a happy new year wish and to let you know I really enjoy reading your blog- your writing is compelling and the projects are just my thing. I relate to your feelings about this being the year, as ever year is that feels like there is a momentum forward, even if things aren't as we hope they will ultimately end up (unfortunately reflected by small bank accounts). I much rather be creating a life that really suits me, as it seems to be for you too, and reaping all the rewards that come with creativity- there are so many, aren't there.
I have linked to your blog through mine. Hope that's ok.
All the best, Nicole
aw Kelly!
That's a really swell attitude to have. And a really swell card.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for being a part of my 2009 year. I love this. Now let's make some money!
(Happy New Year!)
What you just wrote is hands down my favorite New Year's inspiration I've read. Couldn't have said it better myself. It's what life is all about... living and hoping for the future...
happy 2010.
I think this is our year, baby.