Just Me, MocaGyrl

I can only feel this new year is promising. What is it they say, it can only get better… right? (I am not focusing on “It’ll get worse before it gets better.”

I knew in October 2006 that 2007 was going to be an especially difficult year. It sure lived up to it, and more so. Besides being unemployed, taking classes & everything that went with that, then the dreaded looking for work, it was a year of grief. My Aunt Denise died in April. I had such memorable summer visits with her when I was a teenager, and I’m lucky we remained close as I became an adult. I prefer to think of her in her glory, her hippy years rather than the last several years of decling health. She will forever be the ultra cool chick who shocked me with green eyeshadow & yellow nail polish, and got me hooked on my favourite band, Fleetwood Mac. My Grandma died in June. The ultimate fierce Leo, she held onto the dynamic characteristics we all knew her to have right up until the end at 89. Her strength, independance, and capableness are the qualities I truly admire and respect in a person. I have always hoped to be just like her. My Misty died in September. It was such an awful late summer & early fall seeing her decline. Watching my 18 year old cat waste away was the most devastating helpless feeling I’ve ever experienced. I had a sinking feeling at the beginning of ‘07 that she would go, but when her health was deterorating, another part of me really hoped she could bounce back, become well again.

On the positive side, the Hubby & I discovered the incredible experience that is Worldwide Marriage Encounter. There’s no turning back now, it was such an amazing epiphany for us, and continues to be a bright light in our marriage. After over an hour looking at every cat in a jam packed shelter in November, we found them - our boys. I can’t believe how truly pleased I am with them. I know I’m blessed at the simple easy joy I’m able to give and recieve. I really loved the rewarding volunteer teaching I was fortunate enough to have found at 2 schools with 2 school boards. I have to hold onto positive thoughts that it will lead to a full time position.
So 2008 holds promise for me. I’ll try optimism this year instead of pessimism, see how that goes.