Christmas Letter 2014....Musings on the last year at the start of a new year

Where do I start?  What do I say?

When not much has changed at the end of the day.

So I will sit back and reflect on the year;

And as I do, please grab some wine or some beer.

I've been a few places and seen a few things;

So here is my story as the New Year's bells ring.

In January off to Bangkok I went: 

A UBD workshop, but I hit the cement.

As I left the airport to head for a friend's, 

We hailed a taxi and there the fun ends.

With a wee little "sprain", crutches and cast, 

I raced to my workshop but went nowhere fast.

The workshop was great, the foot hurt a lot;

And that is the highlight that January's got.

My sore foot carried on for many more weeks,

But so did adventures that my interest piqued.

When March came along I hopped on a plane;

Off to Beijing for more knowledge to gain.

We learned about MAP and Kyra, I met;

She was great way back then and a friendship was set.

While in China I went to the see the Great Wall;

It was really amazing, and not at all small.

My foot in a boot made Wall walking not fun;

But there was a sled and a toboggan type run.

So I hopped on the sled and I went on my way;

And slid down the Great Wall, now what a great day!

Later in March, my mom came to see

All the great things that surrounded me.

We had a great time and went here and there;

The time went so fast, that part was not fair.

April was awesome in so many ways;

But perhaps the biggest, was the end of school days.

My masters was done, my last paper was in;

When I look back, oh how busy I'd been.

I cheered and I whooped as I pressed that last "send";

And with that being sent, saw my grad studies end!

And with that degree newly tucked under my belt;

Came a new job, such excitement I felt.

Curriculum work is my new specialty;

It really is a great fit for me.

Another adventure awaited in May;

Off to Melbourne for three workshop days.

I sure learned a lot and saw a dear friend;

Who I hadn't seen since time in Syria  did end.

In Melbourne such heartbreaking news I did hear;

About the death of my cousin, the saddest part of my year.

I went home to see family and was glad to be there;

Life is too short, and quite often unfair.

When I got back to SUB towards the middle of May;

My foot was still "wrong" it hurt every day!

So back to the doc, I went again;

In hopes that the pain in my foot would soon end.

It was then that I learned they had misdiagnosed;

And my wee little "sprain" well it was really quite gross.

Torn ligaments, tendons and a broken bone

Were all badly damaged so to Singapore I roamed.

After surgery I had three new snazzy scars;

My foot would get better, but "all better" was far.

I came home and did therapy two times a week;

And soon I was walking, smiling from cheek to cheek.

The first time in forever, there was no camp for me;

July was quite quiet and I was quite free.

At the end of July back to work I did go;

My new job was starting and it didn't start slow.

I had so much to learn and I still do today;

But I have great mentors who help me each day.

The fall it was so busy but also quite great;

But I was not patient, I did not want to wait.

For November to come and it would be "real";

I would have my degree; and with excitement I'd squeal.

A quick trip back home for that memorable day;

And it was so special in so many ways.

Dinners with family and visits with friends;

I surely did not want all the fun there to end!

Of course mom was there to cheer me on;

Special friends came; they traveled so long!

Thanks to Gisele and Adrian too:

Oh what a special day because of you.

And that brings us to the last month of the year;

Back home I went for Christmassy cheer.

And time back at home was so swell, it was grand;

I enjoyed every minute in that frozen land.

I am grateful for family who I was able to see;

For the time that they took to spend some time with me.

There is lots to be thankful, my blessings abound;

It seems like the good life is what I have found.

It seems 2014 was a great year for me

What 2015 will hold, I'll just have to see.

Sent from my iPhone