What a difference a year can make. . .
One year ago, I was sobbing uncontrollably on a pristine beach, in front of a breathtaking view of the grandeur of the Pacific, surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Sierra de la Laguna, with my husband trying to console me, after we buried the remnants of my second miscarriage.
I use “we” loosely.
I had tried to bury what my body expelled that morning, that I couldn’t bare to flush down the toilet, and instead scooped up into a Kendra Scott box that had just held a birthday gift. But when I started hyperventilating and repeating, “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t” over and over, he instinctively took over and asked, “where do you want me to put it?”
So he actually did it for me and then held me for what seemed like a very long time, as the involuntary sobs subsided.
That was on my 40th birthday.
Today, as I turn 41, waking in my own bed, wincing from almost painful kicks from the inside out in surburban Texas, I can’t help but feel overwhelmingly grateful – and reflect on the difference a year can make . . .
. . .including the unique pregnancy journey I have had this time around – the deep gratitude and joy I’ve consistently had despite debilitating exhaustion beyond just the first trimester, despite a lackluster mandatory diet and having to prick myself four times a day due to gestational diabetes, despite the pain of each step (waddle, really) and movement I take in this last trimester because I’m carrying the baby so low…
And how eleven days from now, we will hopefully bring into this world our third healthy baby to add to and complete our family.
Certainly, not everyone may have had the extreme “book ends” to define their year the way I may have had – but in looking back over 2021, have you reflected on whether it was a year well-lived, however you measure it?
Maybe you measure your year through numbers and achievements like:
- 40 books read
- 5,261 minutes of working out and meditation
- 44 blog posts
- 4 trips
- 4 awards
- 32 speaking opportunities
- 134 hours of mentoring
- 282 hours of pro bono community work
Or maybe you measure your year through milestones and moments, both good and bad?
- Jan – Turning 40 in Todos Santos, Second Miscarriage, Mom’s “mini-stroke”
- Feb – Co-raising a record-breaking +1.3 million dollars for Equal Access to Justice, Surviving Snowmaggedon
- Mar – Launching the Podium
- Apr – Financial Bootcamp
- May – Began contributing to Above the Law
- June – Pro Bono Award from Association of Corporate Counsel
- July – Family vacation in Florida, Charlie Patch passed away unexpectedly
- Aug – Olivia started Kindergarten, Family Medieval Times, Jason got COVID
- Sept – I became an aunt as we welcome Willow to the family!
- Oct – Olivia’s Birthday Broken Bow Trip
- Nov – Jason’s Second Full Ironman in Cozumel, Adopted Luna
- Dec – Family Disneyland Trip
Or maybe you measure your year by reflecting on whether you achieved your goals?
My goals for 2021 were to be a fun and present mom who created memories for my littles, set more boundaries to make time for personal joy, and achieve more financial clarity – and I’m so glad that I was able to accomplish all three.
How do you measure a year well-lived?
I love Todos Santos.