I keep telling everyone who cares to listen to my rants that 2023 has been the longest year in my life. 2023 is the year I got to live different lives. I have lived as a traveler, mother, student, caregiver, empath, and all the many facets that my sentiments could afford me. It was a constant roller coaster of emotions not knowing which one was going to hit you the next day.
I'm not even sure how I feel about the year coming to an end. One thing I know for sure is that I'm not going to miss it. However, I'm going to be taking with me in a bag all the lessons and growth I have acquired throughout the year. I know they will be my stepping stones for the year to come.
The universe has aligned the weekend to fit perfectly into the end of the year and I couldn't be happier. So yesterday, I decided to take my little family to a nature park. I like the park because it does this thing to me where I become very conscious and in tune with my surroundings. The air is different there and I feel different too. More like free, relieved, and happier. It is always a soothing experience and that feeling is what I wanted to end the year with.
We arrived early enough to greet nature and let her usher us into her space. The experience was liberating for us all. I think even my little one felt it too. He was just so into it. We walked for moments unending merely recapping our entire year together. We mostly laughed at our highlights and felt grateful that the dull moments are now history. We ended our little nature recap by watching the peaceful animals in the zoo section of the park.
We then stopped by one of our favorite restaurants to munch away. At night, we had laid-back conversations about our plans for next year. We already know exactly what we want from life and we are headed there. Whenever we do this, we tend to pinpoint what鈥檚 lagging, what needs pruning, and what needs to go. That way, we step into the year very ready for what life sprinkles our way.
As of the time of this post, it is Sunday morning and the day couldn't be more beautiful. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and tea, tiny toast crumbs on the breakfast table, occasional smiles, and happy faces across the table.
I feel like this moment was set in stone as we worked so hard for it. We will keep the energy and fire burning through the next year and eternity. I intend to spend the rest of the day relaxing. We may stay up all night to watch the fireworks that'll usher in the year 2024. Perhaps dance beneath the night sky and affirm an amazing future.