Sooo... Things that happened in 2012:
Spent the first several months severely crooked and effectively crippled. Resolved by surgery in early March. Who wants to see my incision? YAAAAYYY!!!
No, really, it's all healed up now. Sometimes I can't believe that little tiny turd of an incision made that big of a difference, but it did!
Subsequently was not allowed to run for six months, which resulted in some serious pissedoffness and mild depression. September 6: first day out, ran a mile. Finally worked back up to a decent 5k. Very exciting.
Oh yeah, GOT MARRIED to the most uncommonly kind and caring (and definitely the sexiest) man I have ever known.
We genuinely had the perfect day. We had wonderful friends and wonderful family there to support us. I don't remember feeling stressed or unhappy all day. And we have some amazing pictures to keep those memories tangible, thanks to our amazing photographers, April and Paul Russell.
Went to see MICKEY MOUSE again, for the first time since I was five! We had SO. MUCH. FUN. Like, really, a stupid amount of fun. Harvey got into a conversation at the hotel bar with a couple that had been married for like fifty years, or something ridiculous. They had come to Disney World on their honeymoon in nineteenwhateveritwas. The bartender had also honeymooned in DW, and he said he never knew a couple that spent their honeymoon in Disney World and got divorced. You know, when I think about it, I think it actually does say something very positive for a marriage when two people bring out the kid in each other. ;)
On a much more somber note, this year has ended for me with a loss. My darling Aunt Janice lost her life to cancer the day after Christmas this year. She had literally the sweetest spirit I have ever known. In 28 years, I don't think I ever heard her say an unkind thing to or about anyone. My family is small and close, and I imagine we will always feel quite lost without her. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to spend several of her last few days with her. Even as her body betrayed her and she suffered the pain, indignity, and confusion of illness and death, she never complained. She never even seemed very sad. In fact, she smiled an awful lot. I do not know how much of this tenacious upbeat-ness was exhibited in an effort to console her grieving family, but in my heart, I believe that much of it was very real. That was just her personality. It was not her way to be gloomy or discontent. As her ability to respond meaningfully to conversation waned, "I love you" was the last phrase standing. I will be eternally grateful to my only other aunt, Michele, for taking care of Janice the way she did. I cannot imagine that anyone else could have given her the love and care she truly deserved. Janice had a heart of gold and a strong faith in God. I know she now rests in Heaven, and I am greatly comforted by the love of my family and by the love she left behind.
As always, during this time, I have depended upon my husband to hold my hand, as we have held each other's hands through so many things. He has not failed. He never does. Each year, New Year's Eve marks the anniversary of our decision to be together, to be each other's closest confidante, to always hold hands. We have now known for three years that we can count on each other, even in the most seemingly hopeless of situations, and this is a blessing I never truly understood until I received it. I am so thankful. I am so thankful for everything, for my husband, for my family, for my friends, for the time I had with my sweet Aunt Janice. Everything. I feel full of love, and that gives me great hope for the future. So, Happy Birthday, Terri. Happy "anniversary," baby. Happy New Year to everyone.
