Dear 2014…

Dear 2014,

You were truly marvelous.

I learned a lot from you. I learned to be brave, to work hard for what I want, and that there’s a difference between being kind and being cowardly.

I learned that free time with those I love is a sweet and precious thing, and it should be treasured.

I learned that the greatest thing in this life is family and the friends that become your family.

I learned that I will always want to write, and that nothing will ever fulfill me quite like that does. I wrote a book this year, and I can’t wait to write more.

I learned to say yes to more, and to not be so afraid of so many things.

I learned that life is better when you’re happy to be alive.

I learned that sometimes, I will fail. But I also learned that it’s not truly a failure unless I accept it as one and choose to stop trying.

I learned to always keep trying.

I want to say I loved every minute of you, but we both know that just wouldn’t be true. You brought more car issues than I could have imagined, way too many health problems, and a couple of just really hard times.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from you, it’s that everything is going to be okay. No matter how many health issues or car troubles or giant unexpected bills happen, they’ll all work out. The hard times always turn into sunshine, and if you have someone to walk through the rain with you to get there, then life is good.

I should say that I’ll miss you, but I don’t think that’s quite true either. I will forever cherish the memories from this year, but I’m so excited to see what 2015 will bring.

You were full of laughter, full of learning, full of new experiences, and so, so very full of love.

Thank you.

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” -C.S. Lewis