I am 27 today, kicking off a new year,
and a new adventure, here in Kenya.
I would love to have some words of
wisdom to offer, ala
my friend Koh, about moving into one's “late”
twenties, and all that jazz, but all I really have is a list of
things I'm thankful for from the spectacular year that was 26
(spectacular because, well, every year is spectacular, isn't it, if
we really stop to notice?):
1. Joss Whedon's Much Ado About
Nothing with the sibs, on (or
about) my birthday.
2. A
mini Tardis, which served as a good omen, linking my year of Doctor
Who in the UK, with Karise, to
my year of Doctor Who in
Corvallis, with Marisa.
3. Blackberry
walks.
4. Blueberry picking.
5.Trading
a year of accomplishments in walking for a year of accomplishments
in driving (the first time I was ever in a car alone was trying out
my new commute from Corvallis to Newberg, and I made it =)).
6. A
year of Corvallis to Newberg (and back) commuting. With the fields
and the hills and the sky, alone with my thoughts and so many
wondrous audiobooks.
7. The
incredible opportunity of spending a year teaching at Fox. A
bucket-list dream realized, and an experience that provided so many
challenges and allowed room for so much growth.
8. Getting
to co-teach with the spectacular Melanie Springer Mock.
9. Conversations
with wise, wonderful people: Howard Macy, Rick Muthiah, Kathy
Heininge, and Roget Newell, to name a few.
10. The protection of God and Mr. Toad during my scary car crash, in January.
11. Conversations
and sleepovers and movies; Thai food and espresso; creating new
memories, and celebrating the old; processing through who we are,
and how we've changed, and what dreams still drive us -- all in the presence of the ever-fabulous Kohleun (once an FLP,
always an FLP?).
12. My students, who challenged me in their writing, and in their discussions, and came to see me during office hours, and let me catch, even a glimpse, of the great beauty and light inside them. The many who met me halfway, and more than halfway, and blessed me with their friendship, their questions, and their gratitude.
13. A chance to read Faulkner and O'Connor in the company of Bill Jolliff and his wisdom and his class.
14. Theatre, even if only to watch, and not to participate: In the Family of Things, The House of Bernarda Alba, Parade, The Lion in Winter, and The Game's Afoot.
15. A
year of reconnecting with dear friends (in Newberg, and in San
Diego, and while roadtripping): Alicia, and Tammi, and Megan, and
Michael, and Ruth, and Mariam, and Elspeth . . .
16. Time
with family, at Thanksgiving (in Corvallis), and Christmas (in
Bethlehem), and Brendan's graduation (New London and the Caribbean
=)).
17. The
World Cup, and all the joys of futbol.
18. Time
(always too brief) with extended family. And what an incredible
group of incredible people they are.
19. All
the ways that God provided financially: Obamacare, and my job at
Sunnyside, and parents and siblings who extended grace upon grace.
20. Being
able to be a part of Susanna and Zack's wedding, and celebrate in
the company of so many who dearly love them.
21. A
friend who challenges me to write, and to seek God, and to serve
others. Several days in her (and her grandparents') beautiful
presence.
22. Books
that gleam and spark: Art Objects
23. Films that do
the same (inspiring conversation and thought): Noah
24. Others with
whom to converse and think, and watch anime and Game of Thrones,
and be challenged by to live the life one aspires to live.
25. Three
beautiful days in the beautiful UK, shared with such beautiful
people.
26. The grace and
patience of God, which undergirds all things: And all shall be well,
and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
And one for the
coming year:
27. That God has
brought me to this place, to this garden, to these friends (both old
and new), and leads me on; God's grace, and strength, sufficient for
whatever lies ahead.