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Dear 2015,
After 365 days, it is time to say farewell to you.
So many things happened this past year. Not just in my life, but in the lives of my family, friends and everyone else whose lives were touched by you. It is hard to comprehend all that has transpired over the past 12 months. Some things we wish we could do all over again while others we would rather forget.
It is next to impossible to remember every single moment of the past 365 days. Actually, you are just over 365 days long, but for argument’s sake, I will stick with 365 days.
52 weeks. 12 months. 8,760 hours. 525,600 minutes. 31.6 millon seconds.
Depending on how you look at it, a year is quite a long time. But then again, some say you have hung around a little too long, because at times, you were not always kind or things did not go the way we had hoped they would. Whatever you bring, happy or sad, I am thankful that I am here to enjoy each and every day. I guess it is just that ol’ positive attitude I try to bring to every situation.
Each year seems to move faster than the last, at least that is my experience. However, at the end of each year, although there never seems to be enough time to get things done, go to places I wanted to go, see the people I wanted to see … well, you get the picture, I am amazed at what actually DID transpire in those 365-ish days.
For me, you were a mixed bag. There were surprises, heartache, love, loss, wonder, sad endings, new beginnings, adventure, fun times with family, successes, failures and relaxation, to name a few. You showed me more highs than lows, for which I am grateful.
As always, a year is never without its fair share of challenges. This past year was no different. I learned a lot about myself. Although some of the lessons I learned were things I already knew, certain moments during the past year reinforced those lessons within me.
We all have times where we struggle and this year, you gave me a few. I struggled to understand the actions of others or better yet, the inaction of those for whom I relied on or requested help from. I struggled to understand why things happened the way they did or why things were “created” to give the wrong impression about a situation. I struggled with how people can be so hurtful just to get what they want, I struggled with the loss of loved ones and yes, I even struggled and am still struggling with rescuing the Princess in Super Mario Bros. on Wii!
The last 365 days have surely been a wild roller-coaster ride of emotions. But with all those struggles comes strength. When a struggle becomes a success, you are emboldened and can take on the world. That goes for EVERYONE who has hit a bump in the road. You may not have been perfect to me, or to others, 2015, but each day you gave me, was a blessing, even if at the time, it did not feel that way.
Overall, 2015, you were a pretty good year and I look forward to what 2016 is going to bring, not only for me, but my family, friends and everyone. It will be a very important year, with the elections and how, we as a country, handle the problems that we face. I would like to say we can handle this in a mature and positive way, but again, it is an election year!
“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength”
— Oprah Winfrey
Happy 2016 to all.
Submitted by Mark McGlothlen
