Thoughts on 2013

Growing up I had a hard time saying goodbye.  

I remember crying big sloppy tears at the end of fourth grade because there would never be a teacher as great as Mrs. Roof.  I remember sobbing when a girl in my class moved away because she was my friend and was leaving a desk next to me empty.   I vividly remember my last sleep in my apartment in Clemson when I realized things were about to get real and 

I would never sleep under the same roof as my girls again.  

I spent a lot of energy looking behind me instead of being fully present and looking ahead.  I didn't care that my life would evolve and increase…I just wanted it to stay the same because I felt things were so perfectly perfect that they could never get better.    

I am not that same person. 

I have lived long enough for grief and regret to find me.  

I've had friends move and hold me up and love me.   

I have learned that babies don't keep…

and neither do two year old, or three year olds, or six year olds.  

I have lived long enough to know that it's ok to look back with fondness as long as I keep my eyes fixed on the goodness that will inevitably find me again.  

These pictures reflect the goodness that 2013 brought to my life.  

Happy NewYear

{7 year olds}

{easter}

{mother's day}

{baseball}

{bryson city}

{end of 1st grade}

{60th birthday}

{baseball camp}

{vbs}

{time with friends}

{edisto}

{fripp island}

{2nd birthday}

{NYC and CHICAGO}

{2nd grade}

{tailgates}

{disney}

{halloween}

{more baseball}

{tree picking}

{thanksgiving}

{holiday market}

{christmas}

I was right about a few things…there was never another teacher like Mrs. Roof.  

That girl that moved?  We are Facebook friends now.

And those college girls?  Well. I spent a glorious fall weekend with them 

and we slept under the same roof.   

So here's to family and friends and birthdays and goodness.