2011: The year that can’t end soon enough!

This year started out with returning home from a short vacation to Michigan. I was hopeful that 2011 would have lots of good things in store for me and my family. My best friend got married and had her first child. We welcomed another little one into our extended family (my sister’s newest grandchild). My cousin and his wife had their 2nd child. All seemed to be heading in the right direction.

Someone else had other plans. As many of you know, my father was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer on April 2nd. From that point on, my life changed completely. I have spent the greater part of 2011 in tears, stressed out, dealing with Bell’s Palsy, battling depression, almost losing my cat, other family drama that won’t be mentioned in this blog, and am ending the year with an Upper Respiratory Infection. Focusing on the positive has been difficult for me this year.

I lost my job ~ no huge loss to me ~ in August, but have since found gainful employment with the State of Florida in the Department of Corrections. I am grateful for this job and couldn’t have asked for a better boss or group of people to work with. I have found a church that I am happy with and enjoy going to services when I can. I am trying to become a better person for myself, my family and friends, and hopefully for that someone that God has chosen for me (and I hope he shows up soon, lol). Oh, and the world did not end on my birthday this year, lol!

Above all else, I am very thankful that God has a purpose for me and my life here on Earth. What it is I have yet to figure out. I think know the year will end on a positive note! And for the first time, in a long time, I would like to end the year by sending a Birthday Prayer up to my beautiful daughter on what should have been her 16th celebration of life. I never got to know you as God saw that it was not meant to be. I harbor no bad feelings for His decision as I know you are with me all through the year. Someday, we will finally meet and I will get to hold you in my arms. For now, I will continue to hold you in my heart.

Here’s to leaving 2011 where it deserves to be and looking ahead to a wonderful and prosperous 2012!!!