A New Year, A New List

Good grief! Another year is about to end. The New Year–2012–is only days away. Where did the time go? It’s hard to believe how fast the last twelve months have flown by. Fast enough that my “to-do” and “should” lists – along with my list of resolutions – still have items on them not yet checked off, not yet finished. (Some not even started.)

Looking back at the end of a year I’m always amazed at how many things change and yet how many things stay the same. This year seems particularly dramatic for me. Maybe it’s because my personal circumstances have changed or that I’m closing in on another decade and that looming number is a bit scary. (No, I’m not going to reveal my age.)

Perhaps the biggest change I notice this year is in my grandchildren–how their worlds have expanded and how independent they’ve become. How fast they’re growing up. The oldest is reading and has lost her teeth. The youngest is running and exploring and learning new words. I’m thrilled to be able to watch these changes from such a close perspective.

I teasingly threaten to put bricks on their heads to keep them little, which makes them shriek with laughter and indignation. If only it could be so easy to keep time in check. Watching them venture into life, full of joy and curiosity, I can’t help but wonder about what the future holds for them, even as I’m certain they will be instruments of change in the world. They make me want to be a better person.

As the clock ticks down to the final minutes of 2011, I’m once again thinking about resolutions for the year ahead. Thinking about what I’d like to accomplish. (If you read my column last year, I confess I did not finish my son's cookbook. I'm putting it at the No. 1 slot on this year's list.) Thinking about what I’d like to change. (That might be a long list.) Thinking about a new list and looking forward to starting fresh again with a clean slate. (Sound familiar?)

I’m fairly certain I won’t achieve 100% success in every aspect of my life, and this time next year I’ll undoubtedly have an unfinished list yet again, but I’ll give it my best shot. My goal this year is to try to put a positive spin on whatever comes my way. That’s a tall order! I hope I’m up to the task. 

I’ve decided that, in addition to my resolution list, I’ll make a second list.

There are lists for everything right now: most influential person of the year, best and worst song or movie or book, most memorable moment in sports. I'm not making one of those lists, although there certainly have been some best and worst moments this year. I'm sure you have your own as well.

My second list is an "I-want-to-remember-this..." list. A list of things that make life special – things I’m thankful for. I plan to keep the list on my refrigerator next to my grandchildren’s artwork. Visible and accessible. Even if my resolution list doesn’t get shorter, hopefully this one will lengthen and spill onto additional pages.

So when the ball drops at midnight on New Year’s Eve, in whatever time zone you find yourself, join me in giving a cheer for the good things in life. Raise your glass to friendship and family and moments of laughter - to the things you want to remember.

It's inevitable that some measure of disappointment and even sadness will find its way into my life in the year ahead, but with a measure of grace and a more upbeat attitude maybe those unwanted stumbling blocks would be easier to navigate. Wish me luck!

So I end my 2011 musings saying “thank you” to those who have cheered me on, held me up or laughed and cried with me throughout this past year. Each of you is special – thank you for including me in your life and for sharing.

You all make my second list! It's growing already!

Happy New Year!