Another Year Older

A Brief History of Nearly Everything...that's happened in GinaMarie's life this past year

Last year, I turned 40.  It was a momentous occasion kicking off an interesting year.

My husband, Kevin, and my best friend, Sara, organized an amazing surprise party for me.  I've never had one before and this one was amazing.  It was such an honor to be honored by such wonderful family and friends.

I finished my first ever "Tough Mudder" (12 miles, 26 obstacles) with my best friend/sister Bobbie Byars & Reuban Stoller.

I directed Beauty & the Beast for FYT.

I went to the Spring "Drumming into the Seasons".

I helped facilitate a women's circle.

I had lunch with mom for Mother's Day.

I taught drama, swing dance, & P.E. at the Flagstaff Montessori Middle School.

I helped with the Catwalk for Cancer Care fundraising fashion show in Sedona.

I did a Muddy Princess run with Jennifer Vargas & Megan Becker.

I took my dad to breakfast for Father's Day.

I participated in an all night Summer Solstice drumming.

As I was getting ready to go to it, I had Kevin tell me he thought we should go our separate ways.

I helped set up & break down the Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival.

I was cast as Cat in the Hat in FYT's Seussical the Musical.

1 hour before final dress rehearsal for Seussical the Musical, I got a text message from Kevin telling me that he was moving out.

I found a great apartment with a friend and moved in with the help of some wonderful people.

I completed the Imogene Pass Run (or trudge rather briskly...in my case).

I did a week-long road trip through Colorado & Northern New Mexico and discovered I *really* love driving 65 mph with all of my windows down and music blaring, occasionally, and just the sound of the wind at other times.  And that I really like solitary road trips.  I still need to write up, in a coherant manner, the interesting coincidences, serendipitous happenings, and self-realizations that occured on that trip.

I coordinated an amazing Fantastic Voyage at FMC.

I helped get educational lecture series sponsored by Northern Arizona Healthcare going in 3 communities.

I spent many hours with my amazing friend and wonderful mentor, Dr. Joann W. Kealiinohomoku.

I went to the Autumnal Drumming.

I assistant directed FYT's Aladdin, making an AWESOME CAVE OF WONDERS with Magic Molly!

I had one of my neices over for a sleep over. Much fun was had!

I was cast in Lost in the Tropics.

I started playing the ukulele and was able to buy an amazing one from Chase Coleman.

I started dating my roommate.  We started a tradition of going to breakfast at the Crown Railroad Diner.  I discovered that I was falling in love with him.

I coordinated the Arty Bras Project with the help of the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona and Vora Financial Services.

I paid off my car.

I went to a really fun Halloween party hosted by Megan Becker.

I got shingles.

My dad had a massive stroke and was in the hospital for 3 days.

I was with him when he died.

I helped plan & coordinate his memorial services (3 of them...)

I went to Thanksgiving at my aunty's house in Phoenix, my in-laws in Mesa, another aunty's in Anthem. (Yes, all on the same day!)

I went to a birthday party for a lady who turned 100 years old.

I met the 92-year-old mayor of Bisbee.

I helped look after my brother's children.

I got information on getting my children's story (Chanticleer, the Christmas Moose) published.

I got hired by SunSounds of Arizona.

I resigned my position as Community Liaison with NAH.

I went to an awesomely fun (and much needed) chili & carols Christmas party hosted by the Ryans.

I took my mom to one of the Children's Chorale Christmas concerts.

I attended midnight mass on Christmas Eve with a neighbor (not purposely, but we both happened to be walking to it separately and started talking while we were walking and attended together).

I went to Maryland for 5 days with Scott & Isaac and met some of their family.

I got pink-eye for the first time ever on the flight back to Arizona.

I got cast in another show with Canyon Moon Theater (Gun-Shy, opening on January 24th in Village of Oak Creek).

I started my new job as Station Manager of the Flagstaff branch of SunSounds.

I turned 41.

Holiday reflections

Isaac has a journal writing assignment where he has to write for 15 minutes.  I told him that when he is here, I will do the writing assignment at the same time.  Tonight's writing prompt was "write about your favorite part of your holiday break from the perspective of your front door".  Here's what I wrote.

Holidays are here again.  Once again, I have a new family living on one side of me.  

This year, this family has actually taken time to "deck the halls"...so to speak...since I don't really have a hall on either side of me.  It has been many years since I've been decked for the holidays.  

Lights twinkle, reflecting off the lightly tinkling chimes, aurifying the tones into peals of church bells.  Lights radiate in the snow, making the nuthatches and house sparrows glow with angelic light, transforming them from ordinary birds into tiny feathered cherubs of peace and joy. Lights sparkle, shining on the Christmas wreath hanging from the door hanger.

Laughter fills the air as snow fills the courtyard, making it a truly magical winter wonderland.  Carols drift through the falling stars. "Glory to god in the highest. And on Earth, peace, goodwill towards men..." 

And in my residence, love, joy, laughter, and fullness of hearts.