Monday, December 26, 2011

Looking Ahead


Just like that the holidays are behind us.  In the blink of an eye the day, the weeks and months leading up to it, the whole year really is almost gone, never to be retrieved again except through our memories.

Crumbs and dirty dishes are all that's left to represent the time and fun we spent with friends and family.  And for me, this year will be a happy memory, a year filled with highs and lows, but thankfully mostly highs.  Even Christmas, which included our daughter throwing her back out and being bedridden for the most part, will still bring a smile to my face when I think back on it.

To hear my children laughing and chatting while she laid in bed and her brother hung out with her warms my heart and makes me long for those holidays when I knew she wouldn't be leaving to go back home to her own place.

Some years are more memorable than others, and I have to say that 2011 was one of the more memorable ones.  It included selling my parent's house, the home I grew up in, the place where my dreams were first formed.  Just before we went to settlement last week, after months of waiting, I wandered from room to room and said goodbye.  Tears fell, as I remembered the joy and happiness I had found there, and the dreams I had dared to dream in each and every one of those rooms.  But tears gave way to relief and the knowledge that instead of empty rooms, those rooms would once again be filled with laughter and hopefully be the place where someone else could learn to dream big.

It was also a year when friends were challenged by illness and accidents.  One where they found a strength I can only imagine, and one where they are winning their individual battles.  For that I am grateful, humbled, and mostly just in awe.

It was a year when I got to visit Europe again, and was reminded why I love it so much.  The people, the cities, the architecture, and of course the food.  And being there made me formulate new dreams that include getting back there and not waiting so long between visits.

This year was also a year when my family stood behind me and gave me the courage to try new things, step outside of my box, and start on a new journey of exploration.  They did this all while making me proud every single day by living their own dreams, while still supporting mine.

I don't have a handbook for what 2012 will be, what it will have in store for me or for the ones I love, but I do have a clear vision of what I hope it will be.  I hope that I will slow down more, enjoy more, listen to that little voice more, and do the things that make me happy while making others happy too.

I took the photo above last October.  It is of the river just across the street from me, and was taken with my long lens.  When you look closely you can see the houses on the other side of the river, which is 5 miles wide at this particular point.  Some people will only see the dark foreground, while others will focus on the water, but the lucky ones will see the tiny houses nestled on the distant shore.

Be one of the lucky ones in 2012, look beyond your own shore to the one you can barely make out in the distance.  This year, use your own long lens and dare to look ahead and picture where you want to be and what you hope to accomplish.  Remind yourself each day of how important you are, even if you are the only one who knows it, and create your vision instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you!

Do you have a dream for 2012...I'm all ears!

23 comments:

  1. You write so beautifully, Kat! Happy new year! And I hope your daughter's back is doing better!

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  2. What a year you have had Kat - and I'm sure 2012 will be unimaginable. I am quite superstitious about New Year's Resolutions - I disguise it by remembering that God has a better imagination than I do!

    Good wishes can never be bad though - I wish you a magical, creative and deeply satisfying 2012.

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  3. Dear Kat!! Firstly, I hope that your sweet girl is well on the way to recovery with her back injury!! Gentle hugs to her from me!! Secondly... your words are always so inspiring and spot on!! Wishing you the absolute best for a wonderful 2012, you deserve nothing less my friend. Thank you for sharing your 2011 and much love for a wonderful New Year ~ Txx

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  4. 5 miles wide? That's what I call a river. The photo of the Collie reminds me of a seal waiting to be clubbed by a Canadian - sorry! Wishing you and yours all the best for 2012.

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  5. I wanted to sleep in this morning, but George came up to the bed and woke me. He doesn't usually do this but I think he was bored. Either that or he was telling me to get up before it starts raining.
    Today I leave for NYC and I'm so excited. Some day I hope to meet you, Kat. I think it should be a goal for 2012, don't you? xo

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  6. Kat, you have had some year! You are so right all the preparation, planning, cooking, baking and poof gone in one day! We had a wonderful holiday this year! Good luck coming to you for 2012!!

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  7. Kat, you always inspire me...to dream a little more and reach a little farther...and to be sure and enjoy it along the way! Glad to hear your celebrations went well(ours did, too)! Hope your daughter is feeling better! XO

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  8. What a lovely post. I'm looking forward to 2012, 2011 was a bittersweet year. I started a new job after being unemployed for 2 years and lost my mom in the same month. Wouldn't a 2012 Handbook be nice? Happy New Year!

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  9. this mabe your best post since i started following you....but then i have never been disappointed except sometimes when you would ponder leaving your blog then that sadden me you have wonderful qualities that will take you far Kat lots of people who love you and i see good things coming to you.....thxs for posting and allowing me to follow and for dreams....no i have none at the moment just wishes.........

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  10. Beautiful post Kat! You have inspired me to look beyond my focus point. I hope you have a wonderful New Year and I look forward to reading your blogs!

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  11. Oh, I love this post. I love this time of year...looking back and looking forward. Here's to seeing the homes on the other side. I know 2012 will be great for our family!! :)

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  12. Agree, this was a nice post. You have a way with words! Watching my kids grow up real fast, always makes me look back, and remember. I also look forward to what comes next, although it does make me a little sad knowing that one day, they will leave. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post with us. Have a happy new year!

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  13. Reading your words made me think back on my own past year tears, trials, and triumphs, Kat. Even though it had it's ups and downs -- I feel very blessed to be exactly where I am, what I'm doing, and grateful for each day I wake up to see my hubby laying beside me. ♥ Thanks for this post. It was truly wonderful. Have a safe and happy New Year full of sweet memories!

    xoxo laurie

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  14. This was so beautifully written Kat. I loved your description of how you said your goodbyes to your parents' home, as well as the warm feeling of having your kids there with you at Christmas. I could totally feel the emotion of both. And it's always fun to get a little pep talk for the future too...here's to a bright 2012! Oh and I want to let you know I received that print of your gorgeous photography in the mail today. Thank you Kat, I really love that one! xo ~Lili

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  15. lovely.....thank you for sharing your thoughts....smiles.

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  16. What a beautiful and inspiring thought. I will carry it with me into the new year.
    Hugs and best wishes,
    Patti

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  17. Beautifully and well spoken! I wish you all the best in 2012. I will be dreaming of a clear vision right next to you!
    Happy New Year*
    Best,
    Gail
    casualloveslegance

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  18. Beautiful post, it does me tink about important things, family, friends, and as should erase what does not bring us hapiness, look more besides obvious be generous, know how to listen, share hapiness, console, be much more present to the sons, laugh, help who needs, because are the every day's small things that form our personality and make us happy. Kisses from Brasi
    Nádia

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  19. By the way, I'm a pediatrician and I love my work, Thanks God for the oportunity to help little children in a dificult moment. I work in a Newborn Intensive Care and do my best and I'm so blessed for make the diference to the babies and their families. I hope 2012 to be continuous my mission
    Kisses from Brasil
    Nádia

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  20. Lovely post Kat...
    I am glad to leave 2011 behind as it was a very tough year for my family. I am looking forward to 2012 and have high hopes for a happy and secure future! Happy New Year to you and your family!
    :) Laura

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  21. thanks for sharing from a new follower

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  22. Thank you for such an open, honest, and heartfelt post, Kat. This past year has been quite a journey...filled with many bumps, and turns..but mostly, "growth". Looking back, the things that seemed to be the most difficult, were the things that made me stronger.
    Happy New Year!!!

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  23. I "found" you through Debbie (just above me). What a beautiful, heartfelt post. I need to polish up my long lens for the year, too! Blessings- Diana

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