2023 saw much change and much remaining static in my life.
A moment, please, while I lovingly expound on 2023 for my babies.
Gabriel and I continued traveling every ninety days to visit my daughter in Germany, the details of which need an article of their own.
Gabriel turned one in 2023!
He continued visits to his eye doctor, saw an audiologist, went to his first dental appointment, had a speech therapy intake, and started daycare!
Little Nugget was also the most adorable thing on two legs at all Halloween events.
He also caught COVID-19, which terrified me beyond what I let anyone see.
Gabriel surfed a vacuum down a flight of stairs (he was all right, just startled) and engaged with his first Christmas market...
And finally said "mama" for the first time, alongside a smattering of new words.
His first word was "Uh-oh." That must foreshadow future gray hairs or is merely a concise statement on the dangers of having a blind mom who walks too fast.
I can't believe he's almost two. It's going far too fast.
Rose turned eleven in 2023!
She finished a rough fourth-grade year, visited Scotland with her father and stepmother, started fifth grade, and has stayed on the honor roll since. She also earned her C1 skiing qualification.
She excels in her swimming lessons (she really wants that mermaid tail), attends gymnastics weekly, and has matured leaps and bounds mentally.
She's also the best big sister a baby brother could ask for.
I miss her like a severed limb when we're apart, and I couldn't be more proud of the young lady she's becoming.
In comparison, I've remained relatively static. I was officially diagnosed with ADHD. I joined Medium, found their story posting process utterly inaccessible to screen readers, and discovered Vocal. I have one top story I'm still proud of: I dyed my hair and taught Rose how to make pancakes.
I said goodbye to a dear friend who moved to Italy, rekindled the crossover fanfic I've been writing since 2016 (sorry, fanfic haters), signed a plan with my vocational counselor that will move parenting-unrelated parts of my life forward in 2024, and made a wonderful German friend. I wept at the loss of a Healthy Families support specialist I loved and came to love her successor just as much.
I read seventy-two books this year, three books shy of my Goodreads reading challenge goal. One of my closest friends moved to the city where I live. I finally bought a mattress cover that didn't crackle whenever I moved!
2023 did present with sadness, too. My mother dealt with the first anniversary of my uncle's death in June. A lovely neighbor with cancer passed away in November. (Find her tribute here.)
I had a medical scare myself. It was the kind that required an urgent doctor visit and a chest x-ray. I was writing my will in my mind, but I'm something of a closet hypochondriac (thank you, anxiety.) When the x-ray cleared, my favorite neighbor drove me home from dropping Nugget off at daycare. We just embraced, and I felt like I'd been granted a new lease on hope.
I've had ups and downs, moments of delight, profound sadness, and anger. A recent dream showed me that beneath an illusionary veneer of healing, there are parts of me that still lie in shards from a wickedly drawn-out breakup-it's been years. I had to reconcile myself to the possibility that I may never fully heal. It's a sad truth but one I can accept with grace.
I've omitted other joyous moments regarding my faith, for I don't believe Vocal can permit such reflections. I will say no more in that vain, but I can't pretend they don't exist.
2023. I wouldn't replace it for anything.
I'm content.
Happy New Year, everyone.
Bring it on, 2024.
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Awww, Rose and Gabriel are sooooo adorable! I totally understand Rose because I too want a mermaid tail! Wishing you a veryyyyy Happy New Year and may only good things come your way! 🥰🥰🥰
Comments (1)
Awww, Rose and Gabriel are sooooo adorable! I totally understand Rose because I too want a mermaid tail! Wishing you a veryyyyy Happy New Year and may only good things come your way! 🥰🥰🥰