A Little Slice Of Heaven In 2011?

     This year I did a lot of early morning driving. At 0600 on Talk 650 KFBK, 2 male voices would come over the radio. During their show opening one of them would say “It is (insert date here), and a little slice of heaven in 2011”. (Or something like that). When I heard this at o’dark hundred as I headed to another long day, I had to laugh because nothing could be more opposite. Looking back on 2011, however, there were a few slices of heaven.

        My brother and I reached two huge milestones this year. After being told by those around him multiple times he would never graduate High School, my little brother graduated. The pride I felt for him is immeasurable. The pleasure I felt in him proving all those ignoramuses wrong still glows bright. The lesson? Don’t ever tell anyone they can’t do something because they might prove you wrong and then you are the butthole. Especially someone who has God on their side…

                I myself managed somehow to graduate nursing school. Not only that, a few weeks later I passed the board exam. I don’t think I have ever had a more petrifying experience.  Through God’s grace I was given a job at an area hospital in the exact unit I wanted. For me, 2011 meant entering into adulthood. In some respects, 2011 has been my hardest year yet.

2011 also had wonderful times for me. 2 weeks camping in Yosemite Valley with friends and family was my favorite highlight. Being a volunteer nurse at Leoni Meadows Summer camp was very full circle as well. My family was safe, healthy, and I never missed a meal. My car worked, my bed was soft, I had hot water to shower, and an electric toothbrush with plenty of toothpaste. While this year was challenging, I never went without comforts that others across the globe never have. I don’t know what it means to be in total survival mode. I am truly thankful for that.

For me, 2012 will mean getting familiar with this new world of adulthood. It will mean making the transition from student to professional. It will mean learning to stretch my wings, but also how to handle life in the big bad world. It will mean developing a thicker skin, and learning to deal with people when they are their worst and lashing out. On a global level, 2012 means more uncertainty. The future is unknown, and things we don’t know scare us. I will continue to find peace in family and friends that truly have my back, and a God that already has my ultimate future secured.

Good-bye 2011. Welcome 2012. Let the adventure begin…