This has been a time of pain, agony and fear. Welcome to Annual Closing. Decades of brutal closings of the books. Ok, some years not so bad. But always working long, long hours. Worrying. Any lurking surprises? Just when you thought you had a successful close, someone would drop something completely unexpected and un-forecast on your head. Even if things went well, there was still the fear in the background… and the hours. While all your friends, family and neighbors were celebrating.
Every year.
And every year, since 1996, this Counting Crows song would haunt my mind.
And it’s been a long December and there’s reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass
Maybe next year will be better. Always hope.
But.
Not this year!
First New Year’s Eve in decades, we have gone out and enjoyed. Stress free. Enjoying life. Reflecting on a year of change. So much very good change.
Worked the 200 day plan for our escape…
Sold our house…
Gave away our possessions…
Decluttered, simplified…
moved to the beach… Grand Haven…
spent almost every day on the beach, or…
finding new beaches, new lighthouses, new vineyards, new brewhouses…
connecting with new people…
watching spectacular nature transforming in a four season climate (today’s rainy scene)…
reading for pleasure…
and writing… book underway!
A fantastic year! And maybe next year will be better.