Once upon a time it was January 1, 2011. I was less wise and more naive. I didn’t know what I would know by the end of the year. I took a deep breath and jumped headlong into the next 365 days, my hair now a little more gray, my wrinkles a bit deeper. I laughed more in 2011 than in any other year. I also cried more. Sure I made mistakes, ones with longstanding consequence. Of course I faced failure and loss, yet picking up what was left, I began again. There was a moment I even came face to face with death, but I walked away from the fight. The scars of experience are permanent, and the lessons of a life lived are precious. Though weakened and weathered, I stand today stronger than I have ever been. I don’t know what I will know by the end of this coming year, and that’s ok. I am certain that whatever is in store for 2012, I will face it head on and make no apologies for the life I call my own. (Taken with instagram)

Once upon a time it was January 1, 2011. I was less wise and more naive. I didn’t know what I would know by the end of the year. I took a deep breath and jumped headlong into the next 365 days, my hair now a little more gray, my wrinkles a bit deeper. I laughed more in 2011 than in any other year. I also cried more. Sure I made mistakes, ones with longstanding consequence. Of course I faced failure and loss, yet picking up what was left, I began again. There was a moment I even came face to face with death, but I walked away from the fight. The scars of experience are permanent, and the lessons of a life lived are precious. Though weakened and weathered, I stand today stronger than I have ever been. I don’t know what I will know by the end of this coming year, and that’s ok. I am certain that whatever is in store for 2012, I will face it head on and make no apologies for the life I call my own. (Taken with instagram)

Notes

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