Ch-ch-ch-changes

The end of a year typically gets me reflecting about where I've been, what I've done, who I've rubbed shoulders with in the previous 330 or so days.

This has been one funky year. You know that Super Mario rainbow track where the colours are so vibrant and blinding they almost become hypnotic? If you're not careful, you end up over the edge, waiting for the little cloud man to rescue you. This year just might be like that track.

I was recently working on a Christmas letter (soon to be shared if I can align my desires with wonderful technology) and as I went through the year, month by month, it dawned on me. For a year uneventful at first glance, this one's been a doozy.

2012 started with a road trip to Alberta with three people I just think the world of: Sterling, Annamieke and Aaron. I honestly feel so blessed to have each of them in my life. I think I've blogged before about how much I treasured that opportunity. And I still do. I will always appreciate having those last hours to spend with my nephew on this Earth. Even not knowing that would be my last visit with him, it was special at the time.

Then there was February, when Zachary made his way to Heaven. March and its 11 home games, a memorial service for Zachary, my first and second crowns (on my teeth) and preparation for our third move in as many years. April with the move itself, my first in-season road trip with the team, the playoffs, injuring my hip playing basketball and a couple of epic concerts. Then there was a summer of road trips, family reunions and hip treatments. We covered over 8,000 kilometres in our car and made that many memories and then some.

The fall brought more opportunities and more memories. The lockout started September 15th, which in turn signaled a reduction in the work week and subsequent pay. Sterling started his internship and worked on his last class to complete his Bachelor's through BYU-Idaho. Our good friends had a baby, adorable Bennett. Our car broke down a few times for good measure then got broken into the night before I was to go to the hospital for an MR-A (MRI with a nice needle to inject contrast right into the socket of the necessary region--in this case, my hip). Around the same time, Sterling's dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Then I learned I'd need to have my hip surgically repaired and the wait list would be at least two years. Oh, and I was told not to have kids before the surgery is completed. After over 50 years in the same house, my Grammie moved. Then two of my closest friends at work made career changes that took them out of the office we'd all worked at since I started five years ago. Just this past week, Sterling graduated and also received his approval to be a permanent resident (finally!).

So yeah, this year's had some changes. Hopefully it's not a sign of things to come but it just might be. Through all these changes, I am so grateful for some constants and wanted to outline them here:

Family--Sterling, our parents, our siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents. I am so grateful for all of them. Sterling for his kindness, unwavering devotion and unconditional love. Parents for support and just caring--they don't have to but they do. Siblings for keeping life interesting and reminding me of my roots. Aunts and uncles for teaching me it really does take a village to raise a child. Grandparents for instilling that same principle and for showering me with a wealth of wisdom only experience can bring. Cousins for sharing so many memories and making more with me: Rook, hockey, days in the park, and ping pong games. So glad to have cousins Drew, Michelle, Dave, Meg, Mark and Robbie so close we can catch up. I always worried I'd lose touch with my cousins like my parents had with theirs. So far, so good. I love each one of them.

Friends--I'm awful at keeping in touch. It's a big part of why I blog. I really take to heart that quote that true friendship isn't being inseparable, it's being separated and nothing changes. I feel that way about so many friends I hold dear, even though I don't say it nearly enough. My D-town girls, old roommates, friends I've worked with, worshiped with. I think of them often and love that when we do see each other, it's as though we'd never spent any time apart at all. I was so glad to see former roommates Kimbo and Wendizzle this past summer. I love weddings, because they bring so many people together, and this past summer's festivities were no exception. Maybe we don't live together, work together or even share the same zip/postal code anymore but I still cherish our memories and hope to make more.

Faith--My constant companion. Though it's wavered and weakened at times, especially the difficult ones, ultimately it's been my buoy. Lifting me up in stormy waters. I don't know everything, not even close, but I know when I pray, He listens. I'm still learning. He's patient. Thankfully.

Fortune--Money's been a sore spot this year but those three constants I outlined above have led to the greatest fortune I could ever hope for.

Fun--Even in darker times, fun has played a role throughout this year. Whether it's been sports, games or just a late night talk that gets a little silly because that's what being tired can do to a person...there's been no shortage of fun this year.

So with those four fs (I always loved alliteration) I get ready to bid farewell to 2012. Come on over 2013. We've been waiting.