highlight reel 2018: laying the foundation
I decided last week that I wouldn’t be writing a highlight reel for 2018. To be honest, it has been a hard year. Most of it feels stolen by the grief of losing our niece and seeing so many changes as a result.
Today, I sat down as I do every year to listen for what God says my “word” will be for the next 365 days. I tried to focus on the future of 2019, but it felt like I left 2018 hanging open, unprocessed, untied, loose, without closure. I felt like I could not move forward without tying up my loose ends of emotions about 2018.
So here I am; preparing to tell you about the beautiful parts of 2018, the silver linings of a year I will never forget, and the fruit of our tragedy. In no particular order, these are the pieces of 2018 that I want to choose to remember and file away for safe keeping when I go back to read these posts decades from now.
- Jeremy and I took an amazing anniversary trip to Dominican Republic. Between both of us being in school, work, and the pull of busy life, we chose to get away to reconnect and talk about what was next for us. We marked off a couple “bucket list” items and will not soon forget the crystal clear waters, snorkeling, seafood, and lounging.
2. The continuing process of Rivera-izing our home and making it ours. We have made some great changes and introduced some practical additions (think: handmade pantry for all my kitchen goodies!) to make daily life easier. We have some lofty goals for this year so I will keep you posted.
3. Jeremy’s cap and gown graduation put the proverbial icing {and sprinkles} on a cake that we were beyond elated to see completed. We spent the day with family, celebrating his perseverance, dedication, and successful employment in the career field dear to his heart.
4. Our annual family travels took us back to our traditional beach vacation and onward to New York City. As the kids get older, road trips become more and more fun because they’re filled with {accidental} karaoke, car games, fascinating questions, and open space for dialogue. I look forward to the unexpected fun they bring to every activity. We also were blessed to get some great time with both sides of the family.
5. After a long journey, we are encouraged and grateful that our family will be able to spend more guaranteed time together. Jeremy and I have spent much of the beginning of 2019 thanking God for this blessing specifically.
6. In December, I surpassed the halfway mark of clinical hours for my doctoral program. My 30-something self would like to go back to 2007 and tell my 20-something self that college without the responsibilities of adulthood is a CAKE WALK. Completing a degree while working and helping to manage a home and family is not for the faint of heart. I have given myself multiple pep talks and gone on numerous hunts for my big girl pants over the course of the last 2+ years…
7. Celebrating birthdays (and celebrating in general!) is near and dear to my heart. I love the thought of honoring a person’s life or dreams or accomplishments or milestones – especially when the person has impacted my own life in such a powerful way. Thankfully, my people know how much I enjoy them as well.
8. The Christmas season was such a special time for us this year. It was a monumental time for us as a family of 4 and we very much anticipated the joy of all things Christmas {in no order of priority} – baking cookies, seeing Santa, spending time with family, the nativity and story of Jesus’ birth, finding snow, playing board games, watching Christmas movies, and eating ALL OF THE FOOD. Don’t worry – we needed no help and managed to do it all. 😉
9. Most of this year is defined by those times before the accident that took Miranda’s life and those times afterwards. I have had a hard time wrapping up a “highlight reel” when there is a gaping hole in our hearts. However, I know God clearly defines for us – “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…” Ecclesiastes 3:4.
In fact, a few highlights of this year came about because of Miranda. She has had such a profound influence on the world and even in death, she brought so many people together. Jeremiah and Lilly got to spend time with both sets of their paternal great grandparents in the same room during this time. It was a beautiful gift in the midst of great sadness.
10. One of the most influential highlights of this year was being faced with the reality of life and death. In just a brief moment, our lives changed forever and it forced me to evaluate the way I live, who and what matters, and to ask myself the hard questions. If tomorrow were my last day, would God (would I?) be pleased with the way I closed out yesterday? I mean, regularly I yell to myself at the driver who waits until the last second to cut over and almost take my hood off … or I truly believe the world might end if I don’t get the dishes finished TONIGHT … or that Jeremy has intentionally left his socks on the floor again just because I told him it was my pet peeve … or because my assignment isn’t perfect that I’ll fail as a clinician. Miranda has forced me to remember to keep the heart of a child, to believe the best in people (but use wisdom in all things), to find the fun in every situation, and to enjoy the smallest of gifts because we have another day together.
Wishing you and yours a blessed and memorable 2019! Until next year…
