2013 ~ The Good, The Bad, And The Beautiful

I try to live more in the present and perhaps too much in the future sometimes, but it’s always good to look back from time to time to see where you’ve been. To remember those things that made us laugh, or cry; showed our strength, or weakness; so many good, bad and beautiful memories woven into the fabric of our life’s story.

2013 started out with much anticipation. This was going to be an amazing year. A year where we live life outside of survival mode. My One Word for 2013? Intentional. Oh what an amazing word intentional is when applied to life. And it’s a word I’m not letting go of for my life, although I will have a new word for 2014. I have a feeling it will compliment this one.

I started out exercising, doing fun things to my hair, taking photos WITH my kids, showing more love to my family…my word, intentional was my focus. To be intentional in my faith, marriage, parenting…LIFE.

And then life through us a doozy of a curve-ball. Right at the beginning of February, my son began having a constant head pain. Day after day, we watched him struggle with pain.

Doctors, MRI, CAT scan, neurologist, naturopath, chiropractor, physical therapy…day after day, month after month. We never did find an answer, but we’ve turned the pain from all day every day to every once in a while now.

In March, I realized that I was still chronically sick with something I thought I’d beat. I’d gotten to the point where fluffing the couch pillow would leave me winded. Then I got mad. And signed up for my first-ever-in-my-entire-life 5K even though I don’t run. Or didn’t at the time. That’s what sick people do, right? Sign up for the impossible? My son, still struggling with head pain, signed up with me. I was blessed to have two daughters (and one son-in-law) run as well. And we did it. I walked some of it, but I ran quite a bit, pushed myself, and realized I could have pushed even harder. It was hard. Some run days I thought I’d pass out or puke. Or both. And then I walk/ran my second 5K with my husband who really had to push me. I struggled on that one. Hard. But I did it.

In the midst of this crazy year, there were trips. There were visits to and from family. There were heartaches and blessings. Tragedy in the world around us and hard moments in our own family. Family moved close, and close friends moved far. There were funny blonde moments, and wow-that’s-deep thoughts. There was fun with Doctor Who fandom, and quirky humor shared with friends. There was detoxing, and eating way too much junk. And let’s not forget the awesome Dubstep dance routine our family put together.

I can see God’s blessings woven throughout this past year. When I first thought about 2013, I remembered the challenges and thought to myself: another year of hard. But how wrong I am! Looking back puts so much in perspective and the good, the beautiful FAR outweighs the bad. I see love and life. I see God and family. I see strength and perseverance. I see new experiences and fond memories. I see how the word Intentional meandered throughout the year and left an imprint on my life.

I see God in nature. I see God in love shared. I see God in His creation…me. And you. So yeah, 2013 was GOOD, and it was Bad, but mostly it was BEAUTIFUL!

Tomorrow, I’ll look ahead to the blank pages yet to be filled with words and pictures. Fresh pages waiting for more life captures. I face these pages with both anticipation…and caution. Life has taught me well. To anticipate with excitement, but to remember that things do happen, not all good. But God is still always in control even when life is at it’s messiest.

Check out my sidebar for more posts where I share on video my thoughts about 2014 and my One Word for 2014. I even have a post with my 2014 goals listed. Accountability is beautiful, right?

Here’s more looking back posts from the crew:

Check out these blogs for even more looking back on 2013 posts:
2013 – a messy but blessed year by April E. @ ElCloud Homeschool: Busy Minds, Busy Hands, Busy Feet

2013: A Look Back by Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road

Five Revelations From 2013 by Clara @ A Slice Of Homeschool Pie

2013 is Almost Gone by Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset

2013- A Reflection on our Year by Jennifer @ Conversaving

Where Did 2013 Go? by Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory

Embracing the Bright, Shining Moments and Growing in Our Struggles by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds

Saying Goodbye to 2013 by Tess @ Circling Through This Life

I’m the Mom of three teen boys, and other highlights of 2013 by Debra @ Footprints in the Butter

Looking Back Over 2013 Adventures In Homesteading & Homeschooling by Kim @Homestead Acres

Real Moments of 2013 by Cristi @ Through the Calm and Through the Storm

It’s a Beautiful Life–2013 Edition by April B. @ Coffee, Cobwebs, and Curriculum