The last day of the year often gives me pause.  To reflect on the experiences … and emotions … of the past year.  Not for the purpose of making sense of it.  But to accept it.  Learn from it.  And continue to be thankful for the journey.

2010.

A year that brought my greatest joy.  My deepest sadness.  Transition.  Awareness.  Love.  Growth.

A year with moments that tested my courage.  Strengthened my faith.  Exposed my fears.  Broke my heart.  Patched it together.  And expanded it.

A year that blessed me with a new perspective … and greater clarity … of who I am … and why I’m here.

A friend recently asked me to make a list of 25 nouns that somehow are a part of my inner and outer life.

I consider it my nutshell:

• family traditions
• rainbows
• French tulips
• grace
• the Great Wall
• snowshoes
• my daughter’s smile
• campfires
• humility
• the night sky
• fall leaves
• blueberries
• the willing
• first edition literature
• aspens
• compassion
• snow cones
• my father’s Marine handkerchiefs
• faith
• smiley faces
• the Columbia River
• freedom
• baseball
• tugboats
• wooden swings

So I’m saying farewell to 2010 … taking my nutshell … my clarity and perspective … and opening the door to 2011.