Having a few days off for New Year’s was wonderful, but it simply wasn’t enough. Coming back to work this morning felt just plain rude and abrupt. I was far from ready.
Our days off were not the lazy, laidback days I had originally hoped for, kicked back at home, but that’s okay. We were busy, on the move almost constantly, shopping, visiting, even sharing the shower on Saturday afternoon to get to an event on time.
On New Year’s Eve night, my husband and I were watching fireworks, and the band played “Memories”:
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
‘Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you
“The ones we lost on the way”…were they trying to make me cry? Jeez. I thought of my mom, and I missed her so much that my heart ached. Tears stung my eyes.
I looked over at my husband at that moment. He was watching the fireworks, face upturned to the night sky, and the colorful explosions danced with light across his relaxed smile.
I had recently said to my husband that even though I lost my mom in 2022, that didn’t make it a completely bad year. Certainly that was an excruciating event that I would rather not have faced. But it wasn’t a year full of nothing but heartache and hurt. I can’t focus only on what went wrong. Many things went right, too.
And one of the things that went very right is my husband, and having him by my side through it all. He cheered for me when I earned a promotion at work, and later, he was my safe landing place when I struggled with my mom’s death. Through all the highs, lows, laughter and tears, he has been with me, unwavering, and I don’t know what I would have done without him.
We kissed our New Year’s kiss, and he put his arms around me tight, and I smiled. I know not everyone has what we have. I don’t say that to be pretentious or obnoxious. But I am fully aware that it’s rare to find honest, completely giving, and selfless love. I know that I am lucky.
I am thankful for him coming into my life. I am thankful for us finding each other and for recognizing the value in what we have and never letting go. And I am thankful for the year ahead of us and being able to share it all with him.
Sweat & Sparkle 