I crossed many items off my bucket list in 2012. From sky diving to running a half marathon to getting my motorcycle license, it was a good year to experience life. There were struggles as well. My son went to war. The death of a student. Revelations too painful to write of publicly. My transition from 2012 to 2013 was spent not at home with my family, but rather on a journey of self-discovery which took me to Atlanta, Panama City, and Savannah. So what did I discover?
1. The Importance of Girlfriends
As I age, the friendships I make with other women become more important. Regardless of whether we are dancing, pouring our hearts out to one another, or laughing during a cab ride, the sisterhood is
vital to all that we are. I hope all the many wonderful women I met along the way will join me for a celebration of girlfriends as I climb over the hill. (Be watching for details sometime this year.)
3. Phones left unattended breed pictures.
7. The waitstaff is much more interesting when sitting at the bar.
He tried to claim her as his mother, but she would have none of it. Joking and laughing added to the enjoyment of watching oysters being shucked. Not only is it fun, you can also get inside information such as the waitstaff will treat you the way you treat them.
8. Everybody has a story.
When you take the time to stop and chat for a few minutes, everybody has a story to tell. Pictured above are only a few of the people I met during my transition from 2012 to 2013. The substitute Science teacher that let me sit on his bike for a bit. The dancer with a role in his first movie, East Side Story. The woman who found solace going out for the evening with her neighbor after her father died. There were so many more people not in the pictures along the way that will stay with me forever.
As I age, the friendships I make with other women become more important. Regardless of whether we are dancing, pouring our hearts out to one another, or laughing during a cab ride, the sisterhood is
vital to all that we are. I hope all the many wonderful women I met along the way will join me for a celebration of girlfriends as I climb over the hill. (Be watching for details sometime this year.)
2. You are never too old to enjoy your child's coloring.
Seventeen years old and it was the first present she spent any time with. By the end of the day, it was completely colored. Sana's coloring no longer finds itself on my fridge, but rather the wallpaper of my phone.
In a matter of seconds, we were chuckling over her pictures. A lock screen cannot keep out a savvy 7th grader destined for the catwalks. I couldn't resist taking a few on her phone myself.
4. It pays to sit at the bar. (And how beads make good packing material.)
After scoring a perfect 100 on his health inspection, Henry of Henry's Louisiana Grill in Acworth, GA gave all the women sitting at the bar beads and a free drink. Two of the strands beads in the box cushioning toys and games as they head to Afghanistan came from around my neck.
5. Going off course are the things memories are made of.
The boll weevil sits in the middle of main street in Enterprise, AL. In order to have a picture taken with it, the photographer has to stand in the middle of traffic. Be sure to listen closely so you can hear what the locals are yelling as they drive by.
6. Driving through the country of Alabama brings much laughter.
While driving through Alabama and a whole lot of nothing, a few tractors, and a really nice toothless man at a general store, we had a conversation that went a little something like this:
Rebecca: What is there to do here?! I would kill myself if I had to live here.
Me: I would go to your funeral. It would give me something to do.
Much laughter followed.
He tried to claim her as his mother, but she would have none of it. Joking and laughing added to the enjoyment of watching oysters being shucked. Not only is it fun, you can also get inside information such as the waitstaff will treat you the way you treat them.
When you take the time to stop and chat for a few minutes, everybody has a story to tell. Pictured above are only a few of the people I met during my transition from 2012 to 2013. The substitute Science teacher that let me sit on his bike for a bit. The dancer with a role in his first movie, East Side Story. The woman who found solace going out for the evening with her neighbor after her father died. There were so many more people not in the pictures along the way that will stay with me forever.
9. There is never a bad time to be at the beach.
At 5:30am there is no sunlight sparkling off the water. The beach is quiet except for the sound of the surf. Standing on the railing, the wind on my face I looked out at the water imagining all the upcoming year would bring. 2013 is sure to be great!
10. There is a bit of sexy inside of all of us.
Sexy is about attitude not size. It is about confidence not the looks you get. For awhile, I lost sight of the sexy in me. I am claiming it again.
11. Don't give up.
Three months ago I set a goal to run The Biggest Loser Half Marathon. Unfortunately, I did not train the way I needed to. Or at all. The morning of the race dawned cold and windy. My friend couldn't run with me because of health issues. I didn't know where the start of the race was. I set out ready to run a couple of miles and alternate it with some walking. My goal was to finish in less than three hours. (Was it only nine months earlier I ran the Shamrock half marathon in 2:09?) Running felt so good, I did it for the first seven miles before I began walking. As the finish line came into sight, I started running again. Every muscle in my body screaming for me to stop. Less than three hours later, tears burst forth as I crossed the finish line and was awarded my medal.
12. You don't need to drink to have a good time.
New Year's Eve in Savannah, GA. An absolute blast! Live music. Dancing. Dinner. Fireworks. New friends. I spent the night smiling.
(Thank you, Rebecca, for accompanying me on this absolutely amazing trip.)
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