It's The End of 2013 As We Know It

The year 2013 is drawing to a close, and I, for one, could not be more grateful. This has been, quite possibly, the worst year I've lived through and I'm really glad to see this one go. I've been to more funerals or funeral home visitations in this one year than in my whole life I'm quite sure. I lost track of the number of deaths of close friends, acquaintances and family members, but I do know that I went to a funeral or a funeral home visitation at least once every month of this year and most months it was multiple times.

In addition to people, I also experience the death of my beloved pet and longtime companion The Tide. She is still missed every single day, but I am grateful to have had her in my life.

It was a year that saw my brother fall back into addiction and once again enter a rehab program to get clean. Let's pray that he sticks with it this time because I'm not sure how much more we as his family can take.

Many other things happened in 2013; for example, my shed blew away and then my dad and Buddy built me a better one. I had a few weekends with my little cousin Sydney when she would stay with me on Saturday and go to church with me on Sundays.I went white water rafting with the church group and didn't fall out of the boat. I started working with a personal trainer at the gym and have been able to tell a difference in the way I feel and in my strength. This has been one of the very best decisions I have made this year.

There were some positives this year... I took my first trip to the West Coast, visiting California with my dad in May. I got a promotion at work. My granddad gave me a down payment so that I could purchase a newer vehicle. I took an impromptu trip to Dallas and saw a fabulous Pearl Jam concert. I also saw Dave Matthews and Michael Buble in concert.  I acquired a new puppy and while this isn't always a positive thing, I think she is going to turn out to be a good dog and I'm sure we will have many adventures together.

The year 2013 has been full of ups and downs, and really, more downs. It's been challenging and difficult and often an uphill climb; but, as the saying goes, what doesn't kill us will make us stronger.

Thanks for following along in 2013. Here's hoping that 2014 will be a much more positive and uplifting year for all of us!