It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a man in possession of a blog, must be in want of time to write. And yet, that time has eluded me over the past year and a half. Some of this was losing the habit in the years before COVID came for our health and sanity. But, in the 18 months since I was last trying to post regularly, life has been in a semi constant state of flux, mostly unrelated to COVID, or concerns thereof.
To give just a brief rundown of the highs and lows:
- Bought a sports car (June)
- Resumed working 50-60 hours a week (Sept)
- Started going to counseling (Dec)
- Turned in notice that I was quitting at ICS after 10 years (Jan)
- Ali had a minor accident that totaled her car (Jan)
- Started teaching music lessons online in Dallas (Jan)
- Ali had emergency life altering surgery and a brief cancer scare (Jan)
- I had a major accident that totaled the sports car (Mar)
- Resumed physical therapy (Mar)
- Bought a brand new car for the first time (Apr)
- Ended my time at ICS (May)
- Drove to Dallas for the first time after moving away 10 years ago (May)
- Bought a puppy (from a family in Dallas) (May)
- Had significant dental work done (multiple trips over the summer/fall)
- Survived two different summer camps (June/July)
- Got COVID (July/Aug)
- Performed a wedding for my best friend growing up (Aug)
- Saw my parents for the first time in almost 2 years (Aug)
- Transitioned out of my role as Director of Students at church (Sept)
- Went back to Dallas for national ETS for the first time (Nov)
That’s a lot right?
It’s different when you’re living through it and in survival mode. Thankfully, the fall ended up being mostly a time of rest, recovery, and reset. While it was a season of change, most of the change was long overdue, or desperately needed.
As things have stabilized coming into the New Year, I’d like to pick up some of the threads and actually tell the story of what led to this crazy last two years. I realize that of the reflecting on things at the dawn of a New Year, there is no end. But, I am continuing to process and still living in process. Writing is part of that, and it helps keep my mind and heart healthy.
While it seems dangerous to be hopeful going into a New Year these days, that is mostly how I feel at the moment. If God can be faithful through the last 18 months, I’m sure he can do the same for the next 18. But, I’ve learned to not think too far into the future and try to deal with one day at a time. I’m rebuilding some healthy habits and starting some new initiatives. In some ways the horizons are new, but in many ways, I’m returning to old vistas with a fresh mindset. You’ll see what I mean soon.