Every turn of the calendar year most of us reflect on how the previous year was good to us and we also look forward to a new year hoping that the current year will bring better things ahead. Myself included, had fallen for these routines every year. I usually become motivated to start a better version of myself than the previous year.
2018 has been a meaningful year for me. There were lots of experiences that became my turning points to see life differently. My re-discovering of photography for instance- though I started re-familiarizing myself with my camera again earlier in 2018, it only become profound when my best friend died. Photography, as I described in my previous blog, has become my strength to deal with loneliness. But mostly, it also helped me appreciate nature more than I did before. The sea, the sun and the wildlife when photographed- brought me a different level of inner joy.
There were also lots of traveling both local and international my husband and I did in 2018. The trip to Europe were the most memorable for the year. For one, I was able to finally visit my sister who lives in Amsterdam, and my niece in Paris. This complete my five-year goal to see all my siblings in places they chose to settle (My eldest sister lives in Kuala Lumpur and visited her in 2014; my 2nd older sister lives in Dublin and visited her in 2017, my brother lives in Manila so I see him whenever I am back home). A brief trip to the Netherlands, Brussels, and Paris broadened my horizon of the European culture and appreciate western civilization. Thanks to my husband who is also my travel buddy, for showcasing this beautiful experience in our amazing journey.
In 2018 also marked our 5thwedding anniversary. Yes, it is only five (but been together longer), but to us it was a milestone. This was celebrated with a trip to Niagara Falls. The Hornblower ride towards the falls was the highlight, and it was both our firsts.
2018 was a career game changer as well. I have been trying to stay away from the stressful life of being an acute hospital nurse and a minor change began in 2017 when I started working for the visiting nurse. Mid 2018, I finally decided to be a Wellness Nurse- taking care of patients with Alzhemer’s and dementia. It’s different from what I used to do, but with minimal to no stress at all. Will it be the last change? I don’t know, at this point I find meaning to what I do. Balance is the key as everyone says.
And here comes 2019. It is only the first day and it still a long way to go- the things I hope to do are unlimited at this point, still laying down the plans. Though I am always thankful for the blessings I received and I always hope for good health for myself, my partner and our families, my daily prayer includes: to overcome life’s challenges and share the blessings to those in need. It sounded so generic but those are my simple prayers. One of my great bosses shared this special poem by Dr. Howard Thurman one Christmas day, which I reflect upon when the year ends and a new one comes…
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with the flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.
Last sunrise of 2018 taken at Veteran’s Park in Hyannisport, MA 12.31.2018