2006 - A Year In Review

Christmas letters from friends and family always get me thinking about my own past year of living. Jack and I used to do a Christmas letter, hit or miss some years. I know some people make fun of these types of letters. But now, it is nice to look back at old letters we wrote and reminisce about the events, people and experiences we had each year. So here is my 2006 Letter of Reminiscence:

Big Events: I made it through another year. I had to put Daisy dog to sleep. I started working part-time. I hired a personal trainer – best thing I’ve done in a long time! I sold Jack’s motorcycle. I have started to make the house more of my own. Started to think about what I need/want for my life vs. our life.

Events that kept me normal, sane and give me hope: Invitations from friends to have meals with them. Happy hour on Friday’s. Personal training with a new friend 2x week. Have conquered grocery shopping but not cooking. Daily walks with Daisy and trying to keep her healthy (o.k. maybe that part kept me insane...). Being in my home. Continuing counseling with Virginia. Not working a full-time job. Meet-ups with my widow/er friends. Socializing and conversing with my friends and family.

When I went back and reviewed my calendar for 2006, I was a bit shocked at everything I had participated in. On top of everyday living that is (which is challenging enough some days). It made me realize that I once again have a pretty big life. I feel a sense of accomplishment that I've come so far since July 2004. It's not until the look back that you see progress I guess.

Here are the highlights (no wonder I run out of energy some days!):

• Hired Denise, my personal trainer – 2x per week (if you’ve ever thought of doing this I say DO IT!)
• Girlfriend Erin's 40th birthday bash (so glad to see everyone catching up with me)
• Visit to UCLA hospital to see sister-in-law Torrie who had surgery after being badly bitten by a dog (scary, scary, but relieved once I saw her and talked to her)
• Traveled to St. Louis, MO for training for my part-time contract work as career consultant/coach with The Impact Group
• Medieval times outing with the nephews and niece Jack, Grace and Charlie; Susie and Torrie
• Bon Jovi concert with friend Carmen (best concert I’ve ever been to - and man is he hot!)
• Said good-bye to my young widow/er grief support group at Our House (it went for 18 months)
• Spa day at Glenn Ivy with girlfriend's Erin, Cindy and Carmen (the herbal wrap was awesome)
• Participated in video-taping for a young widow documentary (slated to come out in 2007)
• Las Vegas & Lake Las Vegas trip with Susie, kids and S-Mom (Jack's Mom)
• Cheerleading competition in Irvine for Katie, daughter of my friend Jyme Sue (close your eyes when the big toss in the air acrobatics happen)
• Visit from Lowell, Jack's uncle (very nice dinner and great conversation)
• Memorial day week-end in Big Bear with Erin, Rick and kids and their good friend
• Dinners with widow friends where we get to talk about "widow things"
• 2 year anniversary of Jack’s death passed with a very hot day; trip to the beach for the sunset and some champagne to toast him; a nice phone call while at the beach from an old colleague, Peggy in Houston
• Trip to MN to finally sell Jack's motorcycle which brother Peter was storing - the Honda ST1100 (Found it harder to be in MN where we both grew up, met and where it all came full circle, than to actually sell the motorcycle)
• Girlfriend's dinner out with Erin, Carmen and Suzan (man it was hot that night)
• Heat to beat all heat in CA – broke all records - 116 - and me with NO AIR CONDITIONING!
• New air conditioner installed just in time for weather to cool (but of course)
• Night out to Laguna Art Festival and dinner with girlfriends Cindy, Patricia, CeCe, and Maria - it also happened to fall on my wedding anniversary
• Qasi-job interview for V.P. sales position with old colleague who has kept in touch (tempting, but turned it down)
• House of Blues concert and back stage passes with band Jet (who are friends of Mark and Susie)
• Phoenix road trip to visit friends Jyme Sue, Mark and family; also attended first WidowBago put on by widow friends from my online bulletin board (endless supply of good widow humor this week-end!)
• Visit with Jack's brother and family, Parry, Vickie and girls
• Flew to Denver for visit with Emilie, Chris and Charlie; celebrated my birthday; pushed Charlie on the swings, ate at an incredible mediterranean restaurant and visited the butterfly museum
• Visit from Swiss friend Juerg, drive down the coast in his rented red Mustang convertible; good food, good settings, good conversation
• Visit from S-Mom (Jack’s Mom)
• Monthly gathering with local widow friends - met new ones (this is always heartwrenching) and caught up with old ones
• Daisy - what to say other than she was a great companion - putting her to sleep and being without her ranks right up there in difficult life events
• Thanksgiving visit from sister Emilie, Chris and Charlie; nice week-end spent with Chris's family including Tony and Mindy's new baby boy named Jack
• A December spent shopping, visits with friends and family, and making plans for 2007

And finally, here is one of the things I had posted on my refrigerator for much of 2006. Looking back, I guess I took it to heart. Let's hope I can continue in the spirit of this:

When you walk to the edge of all the light you have, and take a step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen: either there will be something solid for you to stand upon or you will learn to fly!

Who knows what I will report on for 2007. Here's hoping I will continue to chase a bit of life this year.