As I looked at my Facebook TimeHop for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, there had been a running theme - I had perceived my life getting worse each year from the next beginning in 2013.
Of course, 2013 was the year Dawn was first diagnosed with brain cancer. Then in 2014 the cancer returned, and in 2015 she passed away. I spent 2016 trying to figure out adult life as a single parent in a job I despised, only to have my grandmother pass away in the process and to have our nation's political situation turn into a Mad Magazine comic strip. Also, the dating game never found a footing, and more and more I wanted to just leave Wisconsin and live homeless on a tropical beach far, far away.
But then in 2017, my luck changed. I found out that an old friend of mine who is just as quirky as me was now single, so I asked her out. Worst case scenario? We would laugh it off. Best case scenario? I'm living it.
To find someone that cares about me - who I can truly be myself around, who supported me in leaving the miserable job I hated, through two part-time, low-wage ventures that bought me time until I ended up back here - well, that was worth the wait.
That's not to say 2017 was a glowing realm of positivity. There were some tough adventures, like moving Courtney and Gabe into the house with Perla and I, and me laying on the floor pounding in trim (#neveragain). But 2017 was definitely better than 2013 through 2016. In fact, I would be willing to say that 2017 was the best year of my adult life. Are we counting college as adult life? Because if we are, 2004 and 2005 were FUN.
Now 2018 is here and no longer upon us. It is a year where I hope to find a rhythm in this house-of-four business. A year where there is consistency and only one W2 to worry about at tax time. A year of a new smile, a happy home and a Han Solo movie.
That should definitely mark for a good year.
PS, upon third viewing, I have turned many of my thoughts and reactions for The Last Jedi around. After the first viewing I knew the plot and could pay attention to the details. While there are still bits and pieces I don't like or I would have done differently, I rate it much higher now on my list of Star Wars movies. Rian Johnson did alright after all.
- Adam Krebs is a reporter for the Monroe Times and refuses to wear party glasses labeled with the year. His column typically runs in Monday's paper, and he can be reached at the akrebs@themonroetimes.net.
Of course, 2013 was the year Dawn was first diagnosed with brain cancer. Then in 2014 the cancer returned, and in 2015 she passed away. I spent 2016 trying to figure out adult life as a single parent in a job I despised, only to have my grandmother pass away in the process and to have our nation's political situation turn into a Mad Magazine comic strip. Also, the dating game never found a footing, and more and more I wanted to just leave Wisconsin and live homeless on a tropical beach far, far away.
But then in 2017, my luck changed. I found out that an old friend of mine who is just as quirky as me was now single, so I asked her out. Worst case scenario? We would laugh it off. Best case scenario? I'm living it.
To find someone that cares about me - who I can truly be myself around, who supported me in leaving the miserable job I hated, through two part-time, low-wage ventures that bought me time until I ended up back here - well, that was worth the wait.
That's not to say 2017 was a glowing realm of positivity. There were some tough adventures, like moving Courtney and Gabe into the house with Perla and I, and me laying on the floor pounding in trim (#neveragain). But 2017 was definitely better than 2013 through 2016. In fact, I would be willing to say that 2017 was the best year of my adult life. Are we counting college as adult life? Because if we are, 2004 and 2005 were FUN.
Now 2018 is here and no longer upon us. It is a year where I hope to find a rhythm in this house-of-four business. A year where there is consistency and only one W2 to worry about at tax time. A year of a new smile, a happy home and a Han Solo movie.
That should definitely mark for a good year.
PS, upon third viewing, I have turned many of my thoughts and reactions for The Last Jedi around. After the first viewing I knew the plot and could pay attention to the details. While there are still bits and pieces I don't like or I would have done differently, I rate it much higher now on my list of Star Wars movies. Rian Johnson did alright after all.
- Adam Krebs is a reporter for the Monroe Times and refuses to wear party glasses labeled with the year. His column typically runs in Monday's paper, and he can be reached at the akrebs@themonroetimes.net.
