This year has truly been one of extremes. Every emotion that
I've felt, I've felt with all of my being. Sadness, anger, hope and happiness
have found a way to weave themselves into all the stories I have to tell and
also the ones I don't. I started my year surrounded by my cousin and his
family, being told by my nephew that he loves me. 5 months later I saw myself
moving into his house with all my bags and baggage. 8 months on, I find myself
looking back on 2016 with the kind of contempt that I only reserve for Kale,
and maybe beetroot. But to be fair, 2016 has been a teacher of epic
proportions! So, Thank You 2016 for
- Showing me just how much love I am capable of giving and receiving. It has been a humbling experience
- My increased focus on writing. This year might've been my most active writing-wise and one in which I ended up experimenting with more writing formats than I have up until now. It has been a rush to know I have at least one creative bone in my body, if I may say so myself
- Friendships that stood the test of time, and the ones that didn't
- Finally allowing me to feel settled. A new job, apartment, roommate and car later, I'm ready for 2017. Almost anyway!
- Renewed closeness with my cousins and extended family. I have depended heavily on them over the last 1 year and really tested our ties. Thankfully, we thrived
- Showing me the large army of family and friends that will rally behind and uplift me, should the need be
- Allowing me to learn how to forgive myself. Sure, I’ve had more than a few moments I wish I could go back in time and undo, but I’m no time traveler. All I can do, is hope that those I have hurt can forgive me just as I am learning to do so myself
- Showing me how to have a tad bit more grace in times when I would rather not. I’ve not had things served up to me on a platter but I’ve also never had to work with things going in the opposite direction. Hopefully, this would be the year when if things go wrong, I’d be able to accept them better
- Teaching me to be grateful and humble
- California!! I would’ve never moved here left on my own accord. But I did. And thank god for that. Weather, family, food and friends – what more could I want with life?
