It was a year filled with challenge, triumphs, defeats, heartbreak, and uncertainty. I am happy to see it end as are many others. I don't know that I can say I had a successful year but I can accurately say my son and I both made it through the first year on our own and that will have to do for now.
For us, the year extended back into the year previous and we spent the rest of this one rebuilding and restarting in the aftermath. It was a tough year for the both of us and much harder than I thought it would be in places and much easier and rewarding in others
I am looking forward to the resetting of the clock, as we put this year behind us and enter into the season of looking forward and as a way of doing that, I will start with gratitude for the struggle in 2016. Some amazing things happened this year and some great people did remarkable things. You see whether or not you are aware, some of you, were used for great good this year and I am forever grateful. I have leaned on you. learned from and have been inspired by you, and I thought you should know.
AUGUST-DECEMBER 2015
You have seen me vulnerable, broken, shamed and defeated. Still, you made it OK to not be OK while still helping to inspire me to get up, and keep walking. You were there and somehow knew just what to do, what to say, or to be available at just the right moment. In each and every situation your empathy and support at the exact right time was both surprising and I believe is much more than coincidence in my mind and I am convinced you were placed in my path by design.
NOVEMBER 2015
Kerry and Tammy you more than graciously opened your home and heart to us twice and helped turn a moment of misery into a moments of magic for both of us. Your continued support of my son, warms my heart and exemplifies your character. You could have faded off into the sunset of our lives, but you didn't, and I am forever grateful for your love and support.
Cathy words cannot convey how forever grateful I am for your love and support.
The year wasn't all bad, in fact it was a year of many firsts, personal triumphs and victories for both of us. I learned so much, about so many things year, some painful, some practical, and some I hope will turn into wisdom someday.
I somehow managed to to take my son on a great summer trip to Colorado this year. We went white water rafting, toured Broncos Stadium, ate donuts at the summit of Pikes Peak, rode ATV's until we could ride no more and we camped out in the eastern Rockies. Certain I have forgotten more than I recall but in the end, the worst of times turned into the best of times, when the full story is told surely many years from now, we will recall these days and be able to say, these were indeed the best days.
