Ten years ago today, I rang in the new millenium on the roof of my friend Suzanne's amazing penthouse loft, watching fireworks explode over the city of San Francisco. We stayed out all night--we had no kids to come home to. I was milking the dot-com explosion for all it was worth and socking away half of every paycheck. Given the events of the next year, that turned out to be an incredibly smart move--savings really come in handy when one has a new baby and no work.
But at the start of 2000, we had no idea what was coming. And it's easy to say now, in hindsight, after eight years of presidential ineptitude, two downed buildings, a bust, another boom, another bust, and countless personal challenges later, that this decade kind of blew. But it didn't suck entirely. At the other end of the aughts, I have scars, but I also have two beautiful, amazing children; the fruits of a wise investment; a decent career; some mad skillz; a mountain view; my health; and the wisdom of a survivor.
I have no idea what to expect from the teens. I'm taking it one year at a time. As I am fond of saying, 2009 was a year to get through. No stopping. It was a year to hang on by your fingernails until there was solid ground to stand on. Or even shaky ground, as long as it wasn't about to cave. And we all did it. I don't think it's too much to ask that 2010 be the payoff for the struggles of the year before, bringing prosperity, love, joy, opportunity, and all those other good things we're all so desperate to savor. As for me, I'm not asking for too much. Above all, continued health and progress for my family. But I do have a few resolutions. In 2010, I resolve to:
--Work as hard as I can to bring my knee back to 100 percent strength, so that the only evidence of this injury is that pesky little scar down the front of my leg.
--Find my balance. I seem to have lost it somewhere in the last 2.5 years.
--Write about stories and actual humans at least as much as I do about machines.
--Take time away from my job and give it back to my kids.
--Change what isn't working and strengthen what is.
--See the world, and as many friends as I can.
--Be well.
--Be good.
No promises, but I'll do my best. Happy New Year, and New Decade.
4 comments:
Love you, Julie. You're a great woman. And I felt spoiled getting to see you TWICE in 09! xoxo
Julie, those are some damn good resolutions. And it was a sucky year, no question. Also, you should know that I wouldn't have made it through without your help.
aw, happy new year right back at ya. xoxo
Julie...I had forgotten how much I loved to read your writing. It was cool reading this and well...after my 2009, I needed to read it
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