Well, hello old friend. It’s been a minute.
Or, nearly two years. But here we go. I have missed you.
So much has happened the last two years. An ongoing pandemic that seemed endless. A very slow easing into a new-ish normal of thoughtful caution and choosing to live, under the protection of vaccines and the understanding that COVID-19 wasn’t going away – instead, we have learned to live with it.
I ended up having COVID-19 twice (so far). Last January and last June. Last year at this time I was about to enter a 11 day quarantine – locked in my bedroom all alone. It was a tough start to the year. Because the virus had taken down two family members (but not my husband and youngest), we were determined that I would be the last to get it. And then it came back in June – this time, my husband and youngest went down first. I was the unlucky one to get it both times.
And yet, I was fortunate to have relatively light cases. And we were so grateful my youngest (who is immunocompromised) was hardly bothered. I remain grateful for vaccines, good medical care, and that our lives have – largely – returned to normal.
2022 ended up being what I will remember as a grinder year. My dad is still fighting bladder cancer (although doing well) and had emergency neck surgery, which was quite scary. He continues to be so strong and I was fortunate to visit him several times in 2022. The greatest gift.
My oldest daughter ended up at the University of Oregon (she is now a sophomore) and is really thriving. After a disrupted high school experience, it has been such a joy to see her killing it in college. My son is a senior in high school and was just accepted into Santa Clara University – his first choice. And, my youngest is in eighth grade. I have been so happy to see them all back to school, activities, and having friends in the mix.
I am still helping build the start-up health tech company I left Microsoft to join. I have taken on more responsibility, pushing myself outside my comfort zone and succeeding at times, failing at others. It’s been a first for me – I’m used to being excellent at work. But, learning new things, particularly at a rapid pace, is fraught with risk. I take heart in my strengths – an incredible work ethic, good leadership skills, and an ability to bring order to chaos. Most days are good and challenging – others are stressful and uncertain. But I’m grateful for the journey.
So, a lot has gone well. And I am reminded how fortunate I am.
But like for many, 2022 felt like a grinder. Stressful. Tiring. Lacking spark. I am so determined for 2023 to be different.
I’m ready to have more joy, less heaviness. As I see friends and family struggle with health challenges this year, I am reminded that health is the greatest gift. While I have mine, I want to make the most of it.
So, here we go 2023. Last year I neglected to make my resolutions, choose my word of the year, and other traditions I usually love. This year, I’m back at it. More to come on this. I have my resolutions – one of them is reviving this blog and returning to writing for myself. I have my word of the year. Stay tuned.
I’m ready for an amazing year. I think we all deserve it.
The Redefining 