Farewell 2018,                                                                          1/1/19

The year in which we struggled. And trusted. And were simultaneously provided for. I hope your replacement is just as sordid and scary, and wonderfilled as you were.

I’m glad to have known you for these brief 365 days. It seems like a lifetime has passed since we first met and I had to learn how to spell your name. I’m sorry it took me a few months… now l have to do it all over again with 2019.

You and I had some good times.

We moved together, a lot. We made new friends. We lost touch with others. We had babies! We found a church family. We bought a house! We made some mistakes but learned from them and We grew.

Thank you for being a part of my life. I wouldn’t be the same without you. I will never forget you 2018— you made me a mother and brought me a sister-in-law that I can relate to! You taught me to be more like Abraham, and a little more like Jesus. You dragged me to: TX, KY, TN, GA, and PA.  You gave me weird dreams and showed me how stupid some of my previously set expectations were. You introduced me to a set of wonderful reverse mentors! (#CoreGroup2018)

We laughed, cried, and cooked together.  You distracted me from my annual reading goal (13/24 books)— but at least you brought me to where I am today. You did your job, and you served me well. Thank you for getting me safely through and introducing me to my new friend. 2019. I hope he treats me just as well, if not better, than you did

Now, because of you, I tread confidently forward. My strides more steady and my gait more consistent than before. Thank you.

Thank you for all you have been and done for me. Most of all thanks for helping me learn better how to love–both others and myself. I salute you.

Ever Forward —Emma

“Cheers to a new year and another chance to get it right.” ~ Oprah Winfrey