Where in the world has this year gone? For the past week, I’ve been reflecting on this year. The ups and the downs. There’s been a lot good and some heartbreak. I accomplished many things I never thought possible and I’ve made hard decisions. I’ve experienced the joy of a new family member and the sadness of losing one. As this year ends, I know 2016 will bring me more goals, accomplishments, and hard decisions.
Literally, the first six months of this year were filled with happiness, joy, and a sense of hardworking accomplishment. I worked hard to finish my last three college courses while working full time to complete my web design certificate. I graduated!! My mom chose to graduate with me also (she completed her classes sooner but needed to apply for graduation still). It’s just a certificate, but it’s more than I ever thought I would accomplish with the obstacles I have faced. My next step is to complete my Associate’s degree.
On May 7th, my handsome nephew was born! Since my brother lives in Florida, we couldn’t be there when he was born. However, on June 5th, I flew down and spent five days helping take care of my nephew. I am so grateful for the time I spent with him.
I also faced many challenges at work. Long story short, I moved into a position that didn’t have much training or notes left behind for me. I learned a lot and accomplished more. Now, I am more comfortable in my position.
The first six months were filled with blessings, opportunities, excitement, and happiness. On June 17th, I lost my best friend…my sweet kitty, Bibs. While I was away in Florida, I had no idea that she had either drastically reduced how much as she was eating, or stopped all together. She was a senior kitty and was having a terrible time with an allergy with her ears. They did bloodwork which came back perfect. I didn’t know at the time, perfect bloodwork in a 15 year old cat could indicate cancer or other problems. That day was one of the hardest days I’ve experienced. I had to make the decision to let her cross the rainbow bridge. My dad built her a nice casket and we buried her behind his house. That day, I went to Trader Joe’s to get flowers to put on her grave and I was a total mess. When the cashier asked if the flowers were a gift, I couldn’t help but to tell her who they were really for. The kind-hearted cashier didn’t charge me for the flowers and gave a big hug. To this day, I am so thankful for that moment. I needed it.
Literally, the first six months of this year were filled with happiness, joy, and a sense of hardworking accomplishment. I worked hard to finish my last three college courses while working full time to complete my web design certificate. I graduated!! My mom chose to graduate with me also (she completed her classes sooner but needed to apply for graduation still). It’s just a certificate, but it’s more than I ever thought I would accomplish with the obstacles I have faced. My next step is to complete my Associate’s degree.
On May 7th, my handsome nephew was born! Since my brother lives in Florida, we couldn’t be there when he was born. However, on June 5th, I flew down and spent five days helping take care of my nephew. I am so grateful for the time I spent with him.
I also faced many challenges at work. Long story short, I moved into a position that didn’t have much training or notes left behind for me. I learned a lot and accomplished more. Now, I am more comfortable in my position.
The first six months were filled with blessings, opportunities, excitement, and happiness. On June 17th, I lost my best friend…my sweet kitty, Bibs. While I was away in Florida, I had no idea that she had either drastically reduced how much as she was eating, or stopped all together. She was a senior kitty and was having a terrible time with an allergy with her ears. They did bloodwork which came back perfect. I didn’t know at the time, perfect bloodwork in a 15 year old cat could indicate cancer or other problems. That day was one of the hardest days I’ve experienced. I had to make the decision to let her cross the rainbow bridge. My dad built her a nice casket and we buried her behind his house. That day, I went to Trader Joe’s to get flowers to put on her grave and I was a total mess. When the cashier asked if the flowers were a gift, I couldn’t help but to tell her who they were really for. The kind-hearted cashier didn’t charge me for the flowers and gave a big hug. To this day, I am so thankful for that moment. I needed it.
I couldn’t take the loneliness. I had my Binx kitty, but he wasn’t cuddly at the time like Bibs had been. I also knew that he needed a buddy. Before I had a face the first full week without Bibs, my dad, boyfriend, and I headed down to the Humane Society. That Saturday, Brian and I did visit to just look and I saw beautiful young kitty named “Vega”. She looked at me with her big curious eyes. She was in the main area so I figured she would be adopted quickly. We went to another shelter and I saw other cats, but “Vega” stuck with me. I dreamt about her that night actually. I knew she would be my next kitty. We went to the Humane Society the next day and met with “Vega”. She was 8 months old, playful, and scared. She took to my dad instantly, but not me so much. I was nervous that it wouldn’t work out with her, but I followed my heart and we adopted her that day. At first, Binx was not a fan of her. She wanted to play and he was confused. Binx looked like Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon when he was mad. I felt badly and once again doubted that it was going to work out. Within a few days, they started to play. Before I knew it, she was tackling him to play and he was playing back. They are best friends now! I didn’t like her name “Vega” because Brian’s first response was “That’s the name of a car”. Thinking back, I wish I would have kept it because it actually means: “Vega is the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, the fifth brightest star in the night sky and the second brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere, after Arcturus.” (taken from Wikipedia). We decided to name her Zoey. To me, that name is spunky, just like her.
As the year comes to a close, I look back on how much I accomplished. I graduated, met my nephew, made it through Bib’s passing, rescued another kitty, moved in with my boyfriend, and I’m looking forward to the new year. Bring it on, 2016!