Happy New Year!

At least, I hope it’s happy. For our family (and from casual observation, a lot of other families out there), 2015 really ... kind of stunk.

There was the loss of a beloved family member. The loss of a long-time job. Stress. Grief. Uncertainty. This sort of thing can mess with the very core of who you are and what you want out of life, and it’s never easy to deal with.

The kids learned hard lessons on how friends can betray you, that life isn’t always fair, and that parents can be sad and angry, too. We reassured them as much as we could, but some of their foundations had been shaken (just like ours) and they knew it.

We found our feet. We carried on. But it’s nice to start a new chapter and close the door on 2015.
And sitting here, writing this, I’m forced to admit that it wasn’t all bad. There’s a great new job. (Far better than the old one, to be honest.) And through it all, we had each other, in our warm, safe house, with plenty of food to eat and no shortage of friends and family members to help us through it all.
I’m thankful beyond belief for them. We’re lucky. There were times we didn’t feel that way, but we are.

I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions, but I’m going to try this year. I resolve this: To try to look on the bright side a little more. To try to be a bit more optimistic. To appreciate what I have. To worry, just maybe, a little bit less.

I asked Jim for his resolution. “I want to call Grandma and Grandpa!” Well, OK. More contact with loved ones is always good.

Then I asked Sam.

“My New Year’s resolution is to make sure I wash my hands after using the bathroom.”

Well. That’s good, but not what I was looking for.

“OK. My New Year’s resolution is to take over the world!”

Uhh ...

“Just kidding. My New Year’s resolution is to make everything better. Instead of all those people who are grumpy and mean. I want to help.”

Now that’s a resolution.

Here’s to 2016. May it be better for all of us.

***

I’m sure I’ll write more about this next week, but I had to confess: I’m about to become a hockey mom. Sam starts a local floor hockey league next weekend.

It was sort of inevitable, in our family. Still, there is some trepidation (on my part, not his). How will he take to team sports? How will I take to team sports? I’ve always sworn I wouldn’t be that parent. And I won’t, I promise, but how tough will the temptation be?

I have a feeling this will be a challenge for all of us. Stay tuned.

+Jill Keppeler hopes your 2016 is awesome. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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