2009: Year in Review
Posted December 31, 2009 by
So I spent a couple of hours yesterday working on a really long year-in-review post that I just deleted in its entirety. It’s been that kind of year, I guess.
For the last three years I’ve spent a lot of time during the very last days of December writing and reflecting on the previous twelve months.
It’s usually a pretty interesting experience to look back on all that
has happened in a 12 month span. It’s always a lot more than I realize. But something about doing it this year felt particularly self-indulgent.
This is the year in which I have given myself over to another person. I would like to say that I did that when I got married. But I didn’t. And really, if I had, it probably wouldn’t have been a good thing.
Earlier, as I spent time writing about each of the last twelve months it just felt like a silly exercise in vanity. The thing is that for as complicated as Veronica has made my life, she’s made it a lot more simple too. Life is a lot less about me, a good thing.
Tonight Greg and I took my desk down to the garage so that we could expand the front of our apartment and make more room for Veronica to have a place to play. It felt so symbolic — my giving up of my writing center to create living space for my daughter.
But I have to remind myself that I haven’t given up writing, I haven’t given up who I am, rather I’m just squishing myself into new shapes and corners, while at the same time opening up my whole person to another.
And she’s more than worth it.
This is the year my daughter was born.
Wishing everyone out there a joyous and abundant new year. Thanks for sharing some of this last one with me.
And I don’t actually expect any of you to watch this, but I really enjoyed making this photo montage of 2009.
Also see:
Finding Hope, After Mother-Loss
A Room of One’s Own (Finding My Voice in the Midst of Parenthood)
Filed under: Being Present, Life, New Mom, Veronica by Claire Bidwell Smith
8 Comments
That was a fantastic photo montage! Some of my favorite picks are still the ones that your cousin took of you pregnant and Greg kissing your belly. And of course the peppermint-striped Veronica being hoisted up by Greg at your holiday party. You have an incredible family. Happy New Year!
Comment by Zora on December 31, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Thanks, Amber! You were in there a couple of times too! Happy new year to you guys!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on December 31, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Awesome. I’m a grandma-I can watch that and more
Especially having three grandsons and no granddaughter 
You all make a wonderful family.
Comment by Helene on December 31, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Aw, thanks Helene! Happy new year to you!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on December 31, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I’m friends with Melissa Chichester and she pointed me this way. Probably because I am pregnant … and my name is Veronica!
Okay, the very first thing I looked at was this post with the photo montage … wrong thing for a pregnant lady to watch! As soon as the music kicked in and I saw a pregnant belly, I knew there would be MANY tears. I sobbed! What a lovely little baby and a sweet family!
Comment by Veronica on January 3, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Aw, thats so sweet Veronica. LOVE that your name is Veronica too! I remember crying any time I even SAW a baby when I was pregnant. Oh, those hormones.
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on January 4, 2010 at 10:10 am
Have to admit I cried. The joy on your face in all of these pictures is just breathtaking. As a longtime reader it has been such an interesting process to watch you evolve through your own words from your adventures in LA to a new life and family in Chicago. I enjoyed your blog then and I enjoy it even more now as I can relate to your struggles and successes as a wife and mother. These pictures are such a beautiful reflection of the family you and Greg have made together!
Comment by Wendy on January 4, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Aw, thats so nice to read Wendy.
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on January 4, 2010 at 10:01 pm
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