It’s hard to believe that another year has begun. Just last night as I was settling on my couch ready to relax with a glass of wine and a good book, I found a stray pine needle poking out from in between the cushions.
The holidays may have taken place just a few weeks ago, yet somehow it already feels like a distant memory.
Isn’t that the case with everything? Every January I make a point of taking stock of the year’s events, trying to remember what took place in those 12 months … and, if it weren’t for my photos and Daytimer, I’d think we did next to nothing at all. Yet I never fail to remember the not-so-good stuff.
I remember when our cars were broken into and our personal items were stolen. I remember when the doctor told me I might have early signs of arthritis in my neck.
I remember how terribly claustrophobic I felt lying in an MRI machine for 20 minutes (turns out my neck is fine!).
I remember when my husband was in a small car accident, nothing serious, thank goodness.
Granted all of these things can build our character and make for great dinner stories … but why is it so easy to remember those types of events?
Looking back at my photos and the notes I meticulously take in my agenda every day, I also see that this past year my sister and I, along with our husbands, took our first ever weekend ski trip to Mont Tremblant sans kids (we almost forgot to ski — we were having so much fun!); my husband and I were finally able to buy our dream vehicle; my grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday; and we took an incredible trip with our kids to Washington, D.C., and Myrtle Beach (which reminds me: my son was bitten by a jellyfish! Poor thing!).
We also celebrated lots of birthdays, our 19th wedding anniversary and a new school year. There were spur-of-the-moment pool parties and family gatherings. There were also many moments of great pride in our children’s achievements and loving moments when all six of us crowded together on one couch to cuddle while watching Glee!
Two thousand and ten may have come and gone, but that pine needle in my couch reminds me to stop and take it all in a little more often.
We get so busy with our dayto- day lives, but 2011 is the year I will make an effort to smile at the small stuff, like the sleepy hugs I get from my family every morning or when the six of us are able to have dinner together or when I hear one of my kids playing the piano (even if they choose to play the same piece 100 times in a row!).The small stuff, those are the things that often matter the most if we just stop and live it as it’s happening.
That’s my New Year’s resolution for 2011, and I invite you to do the same. Let’s focus on the good, the love, the positive. Most of us will have not-so-great moments this year, but we don’t have to let them define the entire year.
And just to remind myself of this pledge I’ve made, I have taped that pesky pine needle I found in my couch on the first page of my 2011 agenda. Let the New Year begin!
Catherine Marion has been the much-loved co-host of Slice TV’s The Mom Show since 2005. The former stay-at-home mom and teacher has four kids (including twins!).
