It was the best of times, it was the worse of times. These are the very first words that ring through as I've been trying to come to terms with leaving the 00s behind. As the holiday weekend ends, I realize that I've spent days running away from writing this entry.
This decade represents a loss of innocence to me. We rang in this decade in fear and paranoia over the Y2K bug. No matter where you landed in the spectrum of concern - the opening of the millennium was approached with a degree of caution.
And then the world stood still as the Towers fell. Generations of us forever changed in those horrific hours. But it's where innocence vanished, that gifted us the room to be compassionate, patriotic, responsible, generous and heroic. One of life's mysteries is the best in humanity is witnessed in our most tragic moments. This is a lesson we'd learn over and over.
Personally - I can't proclaim this decade as good or bad. It's absolutely housed the best days of my life. And unquestionably the worst ones.
- My entire life with Chuck was written during these years. I fell in love with my soul mate and married him. We barely started our life together when we engaged in the battle against cancer for his life. A scant 2 years later, he was gone, released to a better place. And I'm still reconstructing. The best and the worst days of my life belonged with him.
- I gained a wonderful brother in Mike when he married my little sister. Joyously over the years, I became an aunt to 2 lovely nieces. And I'm forever grateful that they chose Seattle to place their roots down. Love having most of my family close by.
- Gained an amazing friend family through Chuck and they are now my core of friends. On the flip side, I lost a whole family of in-laws.
- Found that I'm so blessed to have many family and friends that lighted my way through the darkest days.
- Fortunate to travel and see many extraordinary places this decade - England, France, Italy, Prague, Belgium, Germany, Amsterdam, Hawaii, Alaska, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas...
- Worked for 3 employers and had 2 long stints of unemployment. But luckily have always landed on my feet when I truly needed it.
- Started out in a small studio apartment, moved to a tiny house for the duration of my marriage and ended the decade in my very own 2 bedroom condo.
- Blessed to witness some of my longest friendship find their mates, get married and start families. Joyfully watched as most of my friends' families bloomed.
- Found passions in cooking and telling my story through blogging and scrap booking. Continued to look for creative pursuits.
- Lost my Grandmother. Watched as more friends lost parents. And heartbreakingly a few lose a child.
- Continued my journey with my 2 furry, purry companions by my side. 14+ years and still going strong.
A decade is just a measure in time. My life experienced extraordinary highs and lows during this one. I've been profoundly changed, challenged and blessed.
Looking forward to seeing what this new decade contains.