Dear 2017,
I had a good thing going with 2016 but I was ready for something new, so I thought I would give you a shot. While you brought me a lot of good- and there was A LOT of good- you also brought me a lot of heartache and sadness. There was so much of this, that when I think of you, it's the hurt that I think of first. The sheer volume of hurt was a bit excessive and overshadows all the good times we had.
Each month, you brought a new unpleasant challenge for me. After 12 months of this, I've had enough. I think it's best we go our separate ways before things get worse. Right now, in all the sadness, I can still recall the good rather quickly. The good is what will make me think of you fondly instead of with pure despair and disdain.
Christopher, Kyle, Paul, Adam, Rocky, Laura, Roxi, Will, Heather, Edith, John. Those are only the lowlights. There were other people, other losses, other challenges...my confidence was rocked, my heart was broken, I felt abandoned, and I had some health issues.
Let's focus on the highlights, shall we?
I feel that I really enjoyed life and really had the chance to have experiences this year. When I get past all the lowlights, we did a lot together 2017.
2017, you brought me my first full year as a homeowner. There were a couple of challenges involving a leaky pipe and grasshoppers, but I figured it out. I have enjoyed having my own place, setting it up to be comfortable for me, and searching for perfect pieces to make it a home.
You allowed me to accomplish my musical trifecta. I saw David Myles, Royal Wood, and Joel Plaskett! All put on great shows, and all are very personable with their fans. I haven't seen David in well over a year, but he remembered meeting me. Joel didn't exactly do a meet in greet...but I hung around the stage long enough after the show. He was so nice to come over and chat!
I truly enjoyed the traveling I got to do with you, 2017. Whether is was a day trip to Point Peelee, Peterborough and Huntsville for work, or Ottawa and Quebec City for pleasure, it was a great experience. I enjoyed my private tour of Parliament Hill in Ottawa and exploring Quebec City, being at the southern most point of mainland Canada, and visiting the Canadian Canoe Museum.
We had a lot of fun 2017- Rideau Canal and Ottawa River tours; hearing- and meeting- Jon Montgomery and getting to wear his gold medal; attending the Canoe/Kayak National Championships; being selected to participate in the National Ballet of Canada's 150 Pointes; being creative- tray making with Gina, Paint Nite with Roxi, rustic sign creating with Christine, pottery painting with Rachel; Rita's murder mystery birthday party; exploring Fort George; Heather's farewell dinner; Grandma's birthday party...just to name a few.
Professionally, 2017, you were good to me- for the most part. You gave me the opportunity to work one-on-one with a VP, allowing me to create and run a new project. A project that the VP said had the smoothest implementation and the least amount of complaints of any project she has worked on. You have almost doubled the amount of projects I've worked on this year, giving me the opportunity to make a difference, influence, and show how valuable me and my position are. A professional highlight was an annual conference. A conference that numerous people have said was the best one they have ever attended. You have no idea how amazing it is to hear this.
You
made me healthier, 2017. I started practicing yoga, working out more,
and eating healthier. These are all things I hope to keep up moving
forward.
I don't want to go into the details, I don't want to make this sad, but I do need to mention Will. We threw the most epic party and tribute to our friend. There were so many people that came out to celebrate his life- he touched so many lives. We spent a week planning and preparing, and I hope that Will loved what we did in his honour. In our sadness, you brought friends together, we rallied around one another, and supported each other in our grief. Will is missed so, so, so much...but what a party!
Of course 2017, there were friendships. You brought us a new Pod Pal (who we all LOVE!!), but I don't think there were any new friendships outside of that. You did allow me to strengthen friendships. You showed me who was willing to invest their time and energy into their friendship with me. You also showed me who to stop wasting my time and energy on- thank you for that!
The biggest gift you gave me, the best thing you did for me 2017, is my best friend. Our friendship goes back almost 15 years, but you gave us an opportunity to become closer, to understand each other better, to support one another on different levels. You should us both how much we mean to one another. This friendship means the world to me...it was an emotional roller coaster, but in the end you showed us how much we care for one another, how much we want to share-good and bad- with one another, and that at the end of the day, we have a true friendship, an unbreakable bond. Thank you so, so, so much for this.
2017, there was a lot of good and happy times...but the volume of the sad times, the hurtful times, really added up. Some of the hurt was too much to bear. I'm ready to move on 2017...I hope you are too. I will think of you from time to time with fondness and a sad smile. By this time tomorrow, I will have met 2018...I'm ready for a fresh start.
