When our friends from the Bay area had to unexpectedly cancel their trip out to Ojai this morning, we began to wonder how we might mark the end of 2010 in a different way. Being so close to the ocean and having enjoyed some spectacular sunrises and sunsets in the last few weeks, I suggested we head out to the beach, even though it was a chilly 50F today (yes Seattle, I know I am a wimp).
It turned out to be a great plan. While the air was chilly, the sky was a magical shade of bluish-pink and the water was gentle. Being close to the ocean at sunset was exactly how I needed to bid farewell to the year gone by. I needed to see it set away with the setting sun. As Vehd played in the wet, cold sand, I paused to consider the year gone by. I will always remember this year as the one when ....
... Dhruv was born
... Vehd went from short sentences to creating rhymes
... I finished graduate studies in education
... I launched The Art of Education
... Vamshi met with the accident and is so lucky that he will live with no long-term effects
... We migrated to Ojai for the winter
... Vamshi, my professor Dr. Marty Siegel and I co-founded a start-up focused on education... more on that in 2011!
And while those all seem like accomplishments of this year (yes, even the accident given the miraculous recovery V has had), on a more emotional level, I will remember 2010 as the year in which Vamshi, Vehd and I truly came together as a family. From tender beginnings in 2007, to toddling in 2008 and '09, this feels like the year in which we found our groove; together. A magical sensation bonds us, an open laughter holds us together as we learned this year to take care of each other in truly tough times.
I am saying goodbye to 2010 with much gratitude, peace, strength and excitement. It is time to rest now and look forward to a whole new year ...
Comments