So it’s January 2nd and I’m already a day late. But not really.
I’ve vowed to write more regularly on this first blog in the coming year. I plan to continue writing freelance pieces, articles as the Latin Dancing Examiner, blogs as owner of Classic Coup all while grading essays, dancing salsa, and being a fulltime mom. I may even paint again and try tango. But perhaps these are more good intentions than resolutions… considering I’ve already blown writing a post on New Year’s Day.
Instead, craving Indian food, I shut my MacBook yesterday and met four friends at Sitar. During the workweek, we can never get together for lunch. Teachers don’t get grown up lunches off campus and even if I did, we’re spread out between a Brentwood health care company, Vanderbilt, The Tennessean, and, well, Holland. We needed to celebrate Kim’s new job and welcome Patrick back for another visit to the States. And so it goes…By the time I returned home, my teens were finally awake. Rather than sticking to my plan to begin 2010 blogging and starting Crush It! (recommended by a friend to draft my game plan for Classic Coup this year), I watched a movie with my son instead. Time for bed and still no blog post looking back on ’09 or looking forward to ’10.
But then I realized… yesterday was a living example of what I’d say in a January 1 post anyway.
It was spent exactly how I’ve tried to live my life the past few years and especially since I started this blog in January ’09 with the post My Cup Runneth Over. Though a cliche, I really want my priority to stay “People before things”–including my laptop. I’ve vowed to enjoy the moment rather than missing it looking too long at the past or future. I appreciate the last year that brought three of the four friends at table yesterday into my life. I know a year from now we may not all be in Nashville. Who knows what the new year will bring, but starting the rest of my life over some chicken tiki marsala with good friends felt right.
So today… the second day of the new year, I will look back in some sadness, much joy, and all gratitude for the surprises of 2009. There were the big events: my grandmother’s birthday last August (though when she died the next day we realized she had held on to see her family gathered for one more celebration); for a cookout at Heather’s, a road trip, and a party at Mad D’s for my much dreaded but greatly enjoyed milestone birthday; for seeing Monico and eating in Montmarte with my mom; for an afternoon in Venice with my old friend, Giorgio, who took the time to travel from Milan; for the ride up the coast to Malibu in a convertible with Taylor and Cole and watching fireworks with them at Marina del Ray; for falling in love with Gaudi on a trip to Barcelona with Kim and Patty; for starting Classic Coup with Angela; for friends met through salsa and especially the deeper relationships that have extended beyond the dance floor; for spending a last Christmas with our Annie.
And there were other great moments, the ones that don’t revolve around holidays, birthdays, or vacations. The ones I too often take for granted: laughing at dance lessons with Michael, James, and Kim followed by Las Cazuela’s and Los Arcos; a new movie to add to Life is Beautiful and Chocolat as my favorite movies of all time; interviews for Examiner where acquaintances became friends (like when Sheyla talked of Cuba over an impromptu dinner Kenny cooked for us and served in the backyard as the sun set) and where friends, like Dann, told me more of their story; calls “just checking” on the kids and me; a kitty my children fostered; Shakespeare in the park with my children, my sister’s family, and Sara, Greg and Trent; calls from Angela to discuss designs for the next shirt; discussions with Sherry and Darin on how Classic Coup can support the children of Quito, Ecuador. Attending the reunion of one of my favorite graduating classes ever and the daily antics of Nick and Trey, two students I’ll never forget, who said I looked like Angela on The Office and made sure everyone noticed. Discovering churros and chocolate in Barcelona and making fresh tortellini and gnocchi in an Italian cooking class. Seeing my oldest friend (dating back to kindergarten) marry off her oldest daughter…then the wedding party dance out of the church to “Forever.” Watching every episode of The Office with family. Hearing from SO many over the death of Annie. Being convinced to join friends on New Year’s Eve.
I look forward to 2010 with specific hopes and dreams but know that what is IS enough. I thank God for an abundant life.
