And The Year Of "No Joy" Comes To A Close

So very much to write about.

In an unplanned and yet very-good-for-me kind of way, I have spent almost no time online in the last 11 or so days. Nearly two weeks! I abandoned email, blogging (reading and posting), and various other time sinks (however awesome they may be) and spent time in the real, flesh-and-blood world. I reconnected with my family, spent good, quality time with Ish, and took some big relaxing breaths.

A lot has happened. I have a lot to share. I haven't written much of substance in a long time, and not because I haven't been thinking it...but because it's big.

Just one example - my family had to clean out and sell my dad's house. Dealing with the finality of both my parents being gone has been difficult enough for all of us, but dealing with the insipid and insensitive details of paperwork and finances and oh, my father's debts. After months and months, my sisters and aunt and cousins and friends and almost-mom-in-law took what we wanted of memories and knick-knacks and furniture and said goodbye to everything else.

I only wanted the photos, and so one day, not long before the crazy holiday season started, I got them. Two big boxes full of memories of my family and parents. Meaningful, and sad. And then buried in the boxes were some things of my mom's from years ago. Love letters she wrote to and received from men long before she met my dad.

How do you process that? Dad's gone. The house is gone. It comes down to two boxes, and one of them includes secrets and details about a woman's life I didn't know nearly enough about.

I still don't write about my mom here very often. There's a whole lot to say.

The year wasn't all bad, though. I don't mean to give that impression. It's just that the hard things are really difficult to write. I never know where to start. My relationship with Ish is fantastic, but it's scary and hard, too. He is going through a divorce and that puts me in a very difficult space, because I want to tell you all about my scared-ness, but have to be respectful, too.

Maybe I can now. Maybe this year will be the year to start.

Wow. "This" year.

So 2007. Lots of posts coming. Lots of reflection, lots of funny. Lots of not holding back.

For now, though? For tonight? Lots of staying in and celebrating life and love. Lots of champagne, too.

Happy New Year!

Comments

  1. Happy New Year, Kristy. I hope 2007 is very good to you!

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  2. Ahh Kristy... lets see the back of 2006 and welcome 2007 in with open arms and raised glasses....

    Happy New Year to you....

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  3. Ah, the not holding back...I hope I can join you in that.

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  4. To a dazzling new year for us all. May it be ever so astonishing and oh-so-inevitable, just as the last year was, in it's way!

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  5. Welcome back - can't wait for the new posts. Happy New Year!

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  6. Happy New Year, Kristy! I wish you everything good in the year to come. I so look forward to reading all your upcoming posts "of substance" when you're ready.

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  7. Happy New Year, Kiki!

    You had No JOY in 06 --- why not try make it AllJoy07. Whatever happens this year, make it joyful, ever joyful.

    *love*
    ~Tonya

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  8. Here's to another year of virtual friendship!

    Happy New Year!

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  9. Umm..."almost-mom-in-law"...did I miss something?

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  10. Happy New Year... And hold back when you need to!

    I love all your stories--the funny, the sad, the deep, but sometimes secrets are good. I'll keep reading you no matter what!

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  11. Happy New Year! I look forward to reading more of your writing in the year to come.

    My 2006 was "The Year of Joy," and it worked out pretty well for me, all things considered. I'm naming 2007 "The Year of One Million Words" and shooting to write that many words by December 31.

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  12. That is weird about the love letters. I was going through my old boxes last month and came across some pre-husband love letters and wondered if I should keep them or not. I chose to because they represent some pretty hysterical relationships I was in and it makes me glad to see where I've landed but I'm not sure my kids will ever want to find them. Hmm.. to throw out or not to throw out...

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  13. Happy New Year, Kristy! I have enjoyed walking through this year with you (and the year before that, too!). I look forward to hearing all about 07 and beyond (Wait - was that too Buzz Lightyear?). I am so blessed to be one of your IIFs - thanks for putting it all out there. It's inspiring, heartwarming, terrifying, hilarious and courageous all at the same time. Man, I love my 30s. Discovery and adversity be our guides! "Love generously, praise loudly, live fully." ~Elias Porter. Cheers, Toma =)

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  14. Happy New Year to you, dear. Here's to new beginnings. xoxo

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  15. Happy New Year K! Feels like NJ06 started just yesterday...all the best to you and your loved ones in the new year.

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