Year in Review - 2022

 A January tradition to recount my year and reflect on all that was good and done.  I wish I had done it in 2020 and 2021 but here we are.  Ready to recap a most wonderful 2022

Travel:

Happy to say that travel has become a staple in our life.  Each year, we aim to take a few longer trips as well as mix in plenty of smaller trips.  In 2022, we had an amazing trip all over Switzerland - Zurich, Interlaken, Appenzell, Zurmott....two trips in the Bahamas with the boat.  One trip was to the Exumas - remote and low-key while J was in Brazil for Feb break and the other was to the Atlantis resort with Joe....and Joe's first visit to Spain to celebrate Santi's First Communion.   Everything was spectacular, as usual.     

Our smaller trips again included the Red Cottage in the Catskills, a week in Nantucket (with overnight in Onset harbor - a working town with a magical vibe), a wonderful Cassidy family week at Lake Winnisquam, and probably others that are just escaping me...  All of this to say, travel has become an integral part of what we do. There are times it requires a push, but it's never regretted.  I look forward to continuing to explore in 2023. 

Life:

The last time I did one of these recaps, I was inching my way out of a darker place.  I was discovering a career, figuring out who I wanted to be in my post first-marriage life and inching towards a better place.  The main reason I was absent from this space was working from home and not sitting down in front of the computer like I used to - but the second reason was because I did not feel I had as much to work out.  I was happy again. 

Here I am, a few years and a global pandemic later, happier than ever.  Now I feel I have "leveled up".  It's kind of a lame expression to use but I don't know how else to explain it.  I was climbing here and having glimpses of it but now I feel here.  I am loved.  I am secure. I am good.  It's always nerve wracking to type these words, as though a lightening bolt is going to come and take it from me but even if that were to happen, I think it's worth recording that as I turn the page into 2023, life is wonderful. 

Art:

We've been members of Broadway in Boston for a few years now which has been a total treat! We see about 6 shows a year, many of which we probably wouldn't push to see but blow us away.  This year SIX was that for me!   We also saw the Nutcracker for the first time in a few holiday seasons and I think it was the best yet!    We took Joe to his first concert (Imagine Dragons) which was so much fun and I look forward to sharing more live music with him.   We saw Bruno Mars, my first opera, a visit to the ICA


Work:
 We wound down a big program at our company which resulted in managing the first lay-off in my career.  It was tiring and unpleasant and we all walked most of the year with a lot of trepidation.  But here we are, with an FDA approval and an exciting year ahead.  I'm in a good place with a job that challenges me and leaves me with a lot of independence and time and I'm happy to be where I am.   

Service is important to me and as I enjoy a job in the for-profit world, I have found ways to craft service into my schedule.  I'm co-leading the Villanova Boston Alumni Service Chapter which has been a fun way to get individuals involved with service opportunities.  We held a successful event at Cradles to Crayons with 30+ volunteers and in January we will serve meals at the St. Francis house.  It's been a way to bring something I would have liked to see - service opportunities and a stronger Boston/Villanova connection - to reality.   I also was fortunate to join the St. Augustine's Campus Ministry Team. Each Tuesday at 3pm, we meet with 6th, 7th and 8th graders to share ways to help their communities, bond together in a positive way, and think about each other as neighbors.   It's been a highlight of my year - I love the kids and the teachers I have met doing it.  It's a way to come together each week in a peaceful and productive way. 

Parenting:

Joe is 10!  It's hard to believe my boy is in 4th grade - doing long division, taking science tests etc!   But as always, he's a joy with his kind heart, creative mind, and overall wonderful attitude.   I can only feel gratitude and pray nothing changes.  He is just the greatest gift.  

A new category: Relationship

S and I got engaged this year!  I would have never seen it but it feels exactly where we should be.  Our relationship is mature, fun, non-dramatic, loving, open, and balanced.  Joe's response to the engagement was, "I didn't know you had feelings for each other".   We are happy.  together.  and committed.   Life is good.  "Fall in love with someone who is both your safe place and your biggest adventure"  

Cheers, 2022.  You were a good one.