‘New Year’s Eve’ Eve
My hubster and your music guru Edd Bowser loves Christmas so much that he even gets excited about Dec. 23. He calls it “Christmas-Eve Eve.” Those of you who know me well know that my favorite holiday is New Year’s Eve and this year I’ve decided to start a new tradition. Today, which is New Year’s Eve Eve, I will spend the day reflecting on and praying about 2010 and preparing for 2011.
I’ve decided to start the day by counting my blessings. When I make such lists they usually start with things like “my car,” “my apartment,” and “steady income,” but not because I’m a materialistic person (at least I hope I’m not.) I’m just quick to thank God for these things because I know what it feels like to not have them.
But today I want to start by simply giving thanks for all the wonderful people in my life who make it worth living. It’s mushy and sentimental, but who cares. I don’t do this enough. We always wait until we’re drunk to embrace our best friends and tell them we love them, but here’s a big sober, virtual hug from me to you.
This is for folks like my amazing husband. He’s my best friend, the keeper of my secrets, the funniest and smartest man I know. He’s the only person I can take a 12-hour road trip with and not turn on the radio because after nearly five years of marriage we still have that much to talk about. He respects me — my personality and my politics — and he loves me passionately and unconditionally.
This is for my wonderful parents who may not have been able to buy me those British Knights I wanted in elementary school but who raised me in a house that was rich with love. Growing up my parents hugged me, kissed me, and told me they loved me every day filling me a love that I pray I pour onto the people in my life today.
This is for my brother. I still remember changing his dirty diapers and helping my mom warm his bottles of milk. Today he’s all grown up and I’m so proud of the hard-working and ambitious man he has become. He adds so much light to my life.
This is for my cousin, though it feels inadequate to call her that. She’s more like my sister, better yet, my twin sister. She was my roommate in college and the person who came to all the stupid programs I had to do the year I was a dorm RA. When I decided to start rocking my naturally curly hair she joined me on the journey. And speaking of journeys, when I needed to pack up my life in my Chevy Cavalier and drive from California to Alabama she was there to help me make the trip. She helped me move into the apartment I’m sitting in right now and helped me pick out the laptop I’m using to type this post. And she’s there not only to help but to make everything more fun.
This is for my friends, those pals from high school who knew me when I had acne and had no idea what to do with my hair, the guys and gals who made college the most exciting years of my life, buddies I’ve made in the writing business who keep me inspired, and new friends I’ve made at church and school who are helping my hometown actually feel like home again.
And this is for you. Whether you visit this blog out of loyalty to my husband or to me, to read Edd’s rants about music, to see me get on my soapbox about sexism, or just to get some natural hair care tips, you should know that each time you log onto GeorgiaMae.com you’re helping to keep alive the dream of a little girl who once sat in her room, journal clutched to her chest, and said, “When I grow up I’m going to be a writer.”
Thank you.
Yay for real cousins! LOL!