The year started off with heartbreak when I lost my dear
friend Julie to her lifelong battle with muscular dystrophy. Her time in this world was too short. As I sit here and read through all of the
posts on her Facebook page with tears rolling down my face I appreciate she
will always be a part of us. She left us
all with so many beautiful memories. Her
beautiful smile, contagious laugh, quirky sense of humor and zest for life will
eternally be etched in my heart, our hearts.
June brought more heartbreak when the sudden loss of Jackie
Price Dunn shattered my Junior League family.
Jackie was another angel taken away from us way too soon. While I didn’t know her well I mourned her passing
with friends and family who did. Her
legacy is forever imprinted in the community. Her spirit continues on in our
hearts and memories and the six lives she saved through the donation of seven
of her organs.
Mercifully 2013 also brought a lot of happiness, laughter
and friendship. There were so many cherished moments with family and friends,
old and new. We lost our beloved Aunt
Joe in the spring and celebrated three weddings in my extended family. I was delighted I was able to attend Josh and
Megan’s wedding in Morro Bay. My nephew
Aaron graduated high school, another event I was happy I didn’t miss. I finally
met my nephew Richard, his beautiful wife LaTisha and sweet adorable children
James, Junior and Elizabeth. Of course,
I can’t forget, the new addition of Hannah Danielle to my beagle family. She is a naughty red, but also the sweetest
most loving beagle ever. She stole
Emily’s heart that’s for sure (my friend Chris’s three year old daughter).
The year was filled with the continued tradition of 6 at 6
(meeting at 6:00 am on the weekend to walk 6 miles followed by breakfast) with
Jen. I treasure the memories of those
many miles, countless stories (you’d be surprised…or maybe not of what happens
in PB/Mission Beach at 6 am) and discussions.
We were sad to see The Eggery close, but World Famous became our new
favorite post-walk breakfast place. We
also survived another Disneyland ½ marathon.
Speaking of miles, last year I got 3 more marathons and 3
half-marathons under my belt, not to mention all of the 5ks with Chris, Doug,
Emily and the beagles. These short miles have become such an important
tradition. Last year Emily not only
started walking part of the way with us, she actually made us run a bit. Chris perfected her craft and crocheted us
the most adorable turkey hats. Charliebear
(my little old man) made it through all of the races. Of course, we’ve already started planning our
races for 2014.
Robin and Madlyn came to visit me in San Diego. It was so much fun being a tourist in my own
city. We also had a short getaway
vacation in Tucson…more sightseeing and laughter. Even when we weren’t together we shared our
lives daily through our Facebook chats and discussions.
I went to so many concerts with Jen, Lori, Perla and Dennis
I can’t begin to count them all. Jen and
I went to as many Steve Poltz concerts as we were able to attend, we found
ourselves front and center at the annual Zac Brown concert, and were ecstatic
Cowboy Mouth finally made it back to San Diego. Lori and I went to almost every Eve Selis
concert in San Diego, Berkley Hart,
Blame Sally, too many bands to name at the Adams Avenue Street Fair, Bob
Wade, Lisa Sanders and I introduced her
to Peter Bolland, Tim Flannery, Steve Poltz and Shawn Rohlf. I also spent a greater part of the fall
listening to Chris Lea with anyone who would go with me.
So many new friends entered my life. What a true blessing it was to have connected
with Shaila and her son Mack when I did.
They were like a ray of sunshine in my life. Cherished memories of hanging out with the
two of them, getting ice cream, discussing life with Shaila and learning so
much about life through Mack’s innocent viewpoint.
I celebrated my 3rd year at CrossFit East
County. There were a lot of changes
during the year. So many new faces and
friends we outgrew our gym. I finally
learned double unders, I was very slow, but at least I was able to RX a few
workouts. I achieved new PRs (personal
records), but still did not master pull-ups.
I was very close and then something happened and I digressed and became
more dependent on the band (my security blanket).
I can’t forget the myriad of the life lessons! I learned more about plumbing than I ever
thought was possible with all of the Habitat for Humanity projects, my
do-it-yourself bathroom remodel and the garbage disposal replacement project I
did with my Dad. There was always
something to learn when it came to curriculum.
Ahhhh I will not forget all of those wonderful lessons concerning
matters of the heart. It’s no surprise I started 2014 single (in a good
positive way). As Kelly Cutrone wrote
“sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the ones your soul needs most.” I wish I could say I have learned every
lesson I in this area, but I ‘m sure there are more. Let’s just hope I am wiser and I have learned
most of the most difficult ones.
Finally, what a refreshing feeling to look back through the
rearview and realizing ED is so many miles away. Another year free from his
wrath I feel comfortable saying there is no chance he is catching up to me
anytime soon. My struggles crossing the
Rubicon and my journey to the other side of the mountain http://perfectlyimperfectinsandiego.blogspot.com/2013/09/crossing-rubiconmy-journey-to-other.html
are such a distant memories.
Of course, I’d be lying if I said he has completely
vanished. ED’s ghost still remains. I am
sure it will always be there and it will always try to haunt me. The only difference is I am stronger now. I am prepared for the fight. This is a game
of chicken I refuse to lose. I’ve come
too far and have learned too much. I
survived another holiday season, the time of year when some of the triggers
that sent me down ED’s path always strike me head on. Sure avoiding the stresses of the holiday
season was a challenge. Kindheartedly I have learned to deal with them by
making my own rules and traditions.
Ignoring all of the New Years weight loss ads and diet fads proved to be
a little more challenging. Especially as I recognize I have gained a few pounds
myself. Eek…some of my pants and dresses are getting a little tighter. When I think about what losing those few
pounds would cost me physically and emotionally, I resolve it’s time for a new
kind of purging. Time to clean my
closets; those pants and dresses need to find a new home.
I guess that pretty much sums up my year. Goodbye 2013 it is time for one more trip
around the sun.
