resolution

This morning, Jordan and I finally got around to beginning the process of taking down the Christmas tree.  I had already packed up the other decorations around the house, but the tree has been standing unlit and un-watered since the day after Christmas.  Due to a few interruptions, the tree is still standing, entirely stripped of the baubles, ribbons, and lights that adorned it. 

While we pulled the ornaments off of the tree, I thought about how much has changed over the last year and wondered what life will be like next year as we place those same ornaments onto another to another tree.  Last year, as we were taking down our tree, I dared not even dream that we would practice the tradition in our own home this Christmas.  Yet, here we are, the tree and me, spending a few moments alone in our sweet house. 

Jordan and I have had a lot of good, but difficult, conversations in the last few weeks and months.  It is likely that 2013 will bring about some significant changes in our lives.  (Don't get excited, I'm not talking about a baby.)  Yet, I am comforted in this moment by the graces of the year gone by.  I am comforted that one such grace, our home, has tethered us to a place and a people.  Already, both Jordan and I have had moments of resentment, have wondered if we made the right decision, have had waves of anxiety roll over us at the thought of not being able to pick up and go when things are tough.  Yet, our decision was not made blindly or without guidance.  The potential for change in our lives will, I hope, only strengthen the ties and deep our roots.  As I realized this morning while placing a metallic dove into its box, next year, Lord willing, the first or second weekend of December, Jordan and I will bring a tree into this home, place it in front of our staircase, and adorn it with baubles, ribbons, and lights.

I have a few goals for myself this year.  Until last year, I was not one for resolutions.  But, I set a few attainable goals for 2012, and want to do the same in 2013.  Last year, I resolved to run a 5k.  I did.  This year, I have resolved to run a 5k in the spring and fall.  I'm hoping this will give me some incentive to keep running, as I promptly stopped after running a 5k this summer. 

I have also resolved to write more.  Considering I have a thesis to write this semester, I suppose it may seem an unnecessary goal.  But, I have found that writing for school has cast a shadow over writing itself, a practice that I find therapeutic and enriching.  So, I am determined to write.  To help push me along, I've decided to set a goal of having something published this year.  It can be published by a little online journal or community, a barely distributed magazine, or in a never-to-be-read book, but I want to at least try to see this realized. 

I have plenty of other goals.  Some are very personal.  Others are entirely public.  These will include a lot of house projects that I'll post over on Open House 932 (there is a link at the top of the page). 

A giant, heartfelt thank you to all of you who have been part of my life throughout the last year.  Some of you have been friends in the truest meaning of the word and have committed yourselves to loving me.  You have changed my life.  You know who you are, and, if you happened to include "change a life" on a resolutions or bucket list, go check it off.