I don’t know about you, but this is the time that I start closing up shop for the year, winding everything down, and getting ready for a fresh new year ahead. The New Year is my favorite holiday. I love the feeling of wiping the slate clean and starting all over again. It’s a time to look back at the year, take stock of the good and the bad, and make plans for improving the next year.
This year has been a wild ride, but a good one. Back in March I had an idea that I should blog about the issues that come with being childless or childfree in our society. I thought it might be a good idea to start an online community where women like me could come and air their feelings. I had no idea how this was going to change my life, but it has.
I can’t tell you how valuable it has been for me to know that there are people out there (that’s you) who completely understand how I feel and who don’t think I’m crazy because I feel that way. It’s been an amazing experience to know that every time I sit here at my computer rambling on about what’s on my mind, there are other women out there reading it, nodding their heads, and saying, “I know! Me too!” It’s so comforting to know that I’m not alone.
I don’t yet know what next year is going to bring—the release of my book (with any luck at all), some travel, some new adventures? But I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be spending the next couple of weeks assessing my life, and deciding where I want to go next. I don’t set New Year’s Resolutions, as such, but I always set goals for the year and resolve to work towards them.
What about you? What are your wishes, hopes, goals, or resolutions for the next year? Or is your only goal currently to make it through the upcoming holidays relatively unscathed?
Getting through the holidays unscathed…I’ve been there a few times. But now I just had dinner with my dear older friends….a lovely couple and he is now dying. Too soon for them, recently retired, his disease striking out of the blue. We talked of their life, their beginnings, and gently touched on their very limited future. This year and those to come, I hope to be grateful for what I have today, and limit my (perhaps understandable) bemoaning of what I do not have in life.
Thanks, Kira, for helping to put things in perspective. I was thinking I might comment on my misery over my jerk of a cousin announcing her 2nd woops pregnancy in 2 years at our family’s Christmas gathering. But really… who cares about that? She’s always going to be a jerk. And there will always be pregnancies that aren’t mine.
Aside from the infertility, we have our health, decent jobs, a warm home, and (mostly) considerate and understanding family. We have a lot of things to be thankful for. And a lot to look forward to.
I’m sorry, Kira, that looking forward isn’t such a promising thing for you and your friends. I send you my deepest wishes for happy moments and meaningful memories.
Thank you for your kind words Christy, I hope you are having a very merry holiday season!
The struggle of my friends, it really set me straight on what is important. I hope I can hold onto that, and make the most of now.
Best, Kira