Dear 2018 - Reflecting on the Year

Dear 2018,

The end of the year is here and it's almost time for you to go. As always it's that time of year where I reflect on the year and everything that has happened...both good and bad.

I am usually filled with excitement and a little bit of fear during this time of year. You know it's a bit funny how being excited and afraid mixes well. I'm excited for the new year and the possibilities, but I'm also afraid of what can happen during the next year. As always, I wind up getting hit with a bit of sadness as I say farewell to the current year.

2018, you were one hell of a year. And I mean that in a good way. I've learned so many things especially about myself. You were the year that made me realize that I really have to start taking better care of myself. Self care was so important for me this year.

This year, I became a mommy again. I'm so grateful that I have three sons. I always wonder how did I get so lucky to find the love of my life and have three amazing sons.

Speaking of motherhood, things didn't go as planned when it came to my pregnancy. It was so much harder this time around. It was also full of surprises. I would have never thought that I would give birth at 35 weeks. To say that I was afraid would be an understatement. I was terrified. And then I was heartbroken when I found out that Raphael would have to stay in the NICU while I was discharged from the hospital. Although my boy was able to come home in just a couple of days, I was so worried and felt like I failed him as a mother. I still wonder to this day, what caused me to go into labor so early. The doctors say that I didn't do anything wrong and that sometimes it just happens, but I still want to know. I'm so incredibly grateful for the nurses and doctors who tended to Raphael and I. Those doctors and nurses were so amazing, kind, and so patient.

This year, I learned that it is ok to cut off toxic people and that includes family. This was a hard lesson for me to learn, but a very important one. I still wish them the best.

This year, I cried...a lot. Both tears of joy and tears of pain. I learned that it's ok to cry. In fact, crying helped reduce my stress. I think sometimes you just need to have a good cry.

This year, I didn't really feel like a great friend to many people. All of my friends are so understanding, but I'm hoping that next year I'm able to see my friends a bit more.

This year, I'm proud of my creative accomplishments. I'm proud of the projects that I have worked on. I accomplish my goal of being published in a magazine...twice! I'm also proud that I took some time off to work on some personal projects. Being able to make things just for me was just what I needed and really helped me get out of my comfort zone.

My word for this year was Grow. I wanted to grow as a writer, as a creative, and as a person. And I certainly believe that I did just that. I hope to continue on this path of growth in the new year. I hope that next year I am able to grow even more in these areas of my life.

2018, you were amazing and full of surprises. It's time to go and make way for the new year, but I'll never forget you.

Adios.


Photo by Thomas Ciszewski on Unsplash

Mini Letters

Dear July,

So far you have been a decent month. Please continue to be a good month for me. June was such a brutal month.

Dear Network Television,

I am so disappointed in you. Seriously...why are a ton of my favorite shows canceled? I always have the worst luck when it comes to television shows. It seems like whenever I like a new show, it gets canceled.

I can't believe that Lucifer, Here and Now, and Damnation are canceled. John and I were really annoyed that Lucifer was canceled. John doesn't watch a lot of tv so it really sucks when one of our favorite shows gets canceled.

I'm also sad that The Last Ship is ending with its upcoming fifth season. It was a really great show and I loved the storyline. I'm so glad that The Last Ship will not be ending in a cliffhanger.

It looks like we will be getting Netflix soon because we heard that Netflix picked up Lucifer.

Dear Mother Nature,

My goodness! It is unbelievably hot outside! I shouldn't complain about the weather since it was so cold during winter, but it's been so hot that I have been staying home a lot. I have been enjoying the summer thunderstorms that we have had. There's just something about summer storms that just makes me happy.

Dear Toys R Us/Babies R Us,

I am so so soooo sad that you guys went out of business. It is not that often that I get incredibly sad over a company going out of business, but I'm so upset that you guys are no longer in business. We have been buying all of our baby needs at Babies R Us since I was pregnant with Michael. You guys were our go to shop for toys as well. We loved the rewards program and baby registry perks. We were so happy to be able to shop for our youngest son, Raphael. However, we are so sad that he will not be able to experience Toys R Us like his brothers did.

Dear Old Navy,

You guys are killing it with all of these deals. That is all.

Dear Barnes and Noble,

I have bought so many books and it looks like I'm going to go on a "no spend" for the rest of this month and next month. To be fair, there were a lot of great sales and I'm a rewards member so I got a lot of great deals on books.

Dear Fall,

I'm so ready for your arrival.


Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Mini Letters

I love writing letters in my journal. Most of these letters will probably never be seen by anyone, but I think there's something therapeutic about writing letters. It's also a great way to remember events. This month was so busy, but exciting. I wrote several letters in my journal and I thought it would be fun to share a few with you all.

Dear May,

You are one of my favorite months. There are so many events and celebrations like Michael's birthday, Mother's Day, and end of the school year celebrations.

Dear Starbucks,

Thank you for making the limited edition Molten Chocolate Latte chilled espresso. This drink is amazing and it might just be my new favorite drink.

Dear man who paid for my picture frame while I was behind you at the checkout line,

Thank you again so much. That was so incredibly kind of you and it made my day. I love hearing stories about random acts of kindness and it was so cool that I experienced one. I want you to know that I paid it forward.

Dear Graduates,

This is such an exciting time! Whether you are graduating high school or college, I just want to say that I am so proud of you all. It might sound a bit weird since I don't know every single high school or college graduate, but it literally makes me so happy when I see someone wearing a cap and gown. Random fact...when I do see someone that is graduating, I make a wish that he or she accomplishes all the goals that they have set for themselves. So graduates...congrats! I hope all your hopes and dreams come true.

Dear Maroon 5 and Cardi B,

So I just saw the music video for Girls Like You and it is amazing! I love that there were so many dope women in the video.

Who would you write a letter to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Freddy Castro on Unsplash
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