It’s the end of the year, and as you remember, I don’t usually make resolutions, but rather reflect and just hope to live a better life in the coming year. Ya, in a way it is ONE resolution, but it umbrellas everything I’d like to do differently, so I just stick with it.
If 2011 was My Best Year Ever, then 2012 will go down in my book of life as the Hardest year…so far. Please don’t confuse HARD with BAD, because it was not bad. This year was challenging, and here is why:
Jan:
We began telling island family that we wanted to move back to Texas.
Began marketing our fishing business to sell.
Hovensa Oil Refinery announced they were closing their doors. Not only were we leaving St. Croix, but several hundred of our friends had to find new jobs (in COLD climates) and re-locate their lives.
February:
The Fisherman accepted a position in Texas. Would it work? There was only one way to find out. A fearful decision that we had to make as a family.
March:
After being SOOOO CLOSE to selling our business, an engine blew on our beloved Mocko Jumbie. As to say, “I’m Done. I can’t work this hard anymore.” She now lives the life of leisure in Salt River. And we no longer had a business to sell.
April:
After many tearful goodbye’s, watching our children play with friends they may never see again, come hell or high water, we got on a plane for Texas. Spent the night in Miami and got our first dose of ‘Merica reality with Walmart & kids night at Chili’s. You would have thought the entire family was tripping on acid. Our mouths wide open, our eyes glazed over in amazment…just trying to take it all in.
Our family lived a month with my mom. I think she put us on curfew a few nights.
We almost had to sell our first-born child to move into our house. The process was ridiculous and far different than what we were used to on STX where the landlord greeted us with soggy fried pickles, Heineken and then offered us a joint.
May:
Moved into a house that is way too large for our needs and feels like a crack house due to lack of furniture. But, actually, I am ok with that.
June-August were pretty quiet as I spent them with the kids playing in Austin, taking advantage of the hot HOT HOT Texas weather.
September:
I Accepted a position producing a community resource website. Working from home full time…trying to be disciplined and figure things out, and make a living at it.
October - Now:
Just trying to make it all work with change. If it was easy, everyone would do it, right? I remind myself all the time how resilient our family is, how our kids need nothing but love and our bills will get paid eventually.
In no way am I complaining about the hard-ness of this year. I actually would not have it any other way. This was a decision we made and we are making it work. We are in a new state of paradise. We are finishing this year stronger as a family, a stronger marriage and better people because of the trials we have endured. We pick up the pieces and move on. I can assure you I did not create an invite for a pity party, because there was not one. With each challenge, we learned.
In light of what so many families might be going through this holiday season, I am so very thankful for everything I have…I hope that each and every one of you lives a better life in 2013, however that may be.
peace
bfm
December 31, 2012 at 4:48 pm
What a beautiful family photo! I am so glad you all are doing well. You give me inspiration with your real and positive outlook. Happy New Year!!
January 6, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Thanks Terri! No, it has not been easy and I am not one to sugar coat reality, bu that is what it is, just life and we deal and move on. We sure miss STX and the life we lived there, but this is the life we have now and we are going to live it! Happy New Year! xoxox bfm