The Last Day of the Old Year

As expected, the last week flew by too fast. We watched musicals and movies, hiked trails, and played Mario Olympics, but mostly we spent our time walking to the grocery store, baking all kinds of goodies, playing board games, watching lots of stupid tv, and just being goofy together.

Today we tried to cram as much as possible into the time we had left before my mom, brother, and nephew flew back to Texas. Sly made breakfast tacos. My brother, nephew and I baked ginger snaps. We gave my nephew some money and sent him to the store to pick up some eggs. My sister and nephew ran a to the market and then to a Thai food place and picked up lots of goodies. I forced everyone to sit down for a poorly lit family photo. We ate one last huge meal and then said our tearful goodbyes.

Tonight the remaining crew — Sly, the sis, and I — along with a couple of friends, are heading out to a new-ish restaurant to indulge in even more food, drink a lot of champagne, and ring in the new year together. I know everyone has been hating on 2016, but I can’t say 2016 was an all-around bad year for me. There were many difficult and heartbreaking moments, but also amazing and beautiful moments as well. Just like any other year.

Goodbyes are always sad for me, but I’m looking forward to the new year.  Here’s to new beginnings. Here’s to 2017.

Happy New Year!