[typography font=”Copse” size=”24″ size_format=”px” color=”#8c0510″]The unexamined life is not worth living.[/typography] [typography font=”Copse” size=”19″ size_format=”px”] – Socrates[/typography]
We tried something new during both Hood and Martin family Christmases a few years ago, and we’ve now adopted a new holiday tradition. After dinner one night, we let the dishes sit and we take turns sharing our highlights of the past year. Like many families, we are geographically spread out and we certainly do our best to stay connected, but life moves at such a frenzied pace sometimes that it’s particularly special to carve out that time to pause, reflect, and encourage each other, and re-celebrate some of the biggest smiles and most vivid memories from our year.
2014 was good to us. Here’s a peek at some of our favorite headlines.
Colt. This kid. He just gets more fun and smart and rascally every year. During his turn at Christmas, he talked about t-ball, basketball, football, Legos, first grade and turning 6, losing a tooth, riding roller coasters, his friend Scout, and then probably some more Legos. Listening to him talk about his own little memories made me smile, and he tops the list of favorites for 2014. Favorite smile, favorite adventure, favorite boy.
Glacier. Jeff and I have kept our commitment to take an unplugged vacation together every year, and we spent an incredible week backpacking in Montana at Glacier National Park this summer. Each time we get to the mountains we find it harder to leave, and we start looking for reasons to go back. Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity… ― John Muir
Forty under 40. Back in August, I was selected as one of Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s Forty Under 40. My parents came up and several of my respected mentors and leaders from work were with me for the luncheon and celebration. I am so proud to represent Saatchi & Saatchi X and Northwest Arkansas in such a group, and I’ve tried to keep in mind one of the sentiments Don Soderquist, an NWA business legend and special guest that day, had to share with us: It’s not just the honor. It’s the opportunity. I hope I’m maximizing the opportunities I have to influence other young leaders, both in NWA and beyond.
#nodramamama. This summer, my friend Eileen and I found this article, and knew we could be each other’s No-BS, No-Drama Mom Friend. And I couldn’t be happier for a friendship that is encouraging, supportive, and anything but stressful. Moms spend so much time and energy making life harder on each other with competition (over things big and small) and anxiety-causing nonsense. Eileen wrote about it recently over on her blog — check it out — and we are now recruiting as many moms as possible into the #nodramamama club.
Our Hogs. Oh, man, those Hogs. Per usual, we were tailgating, Hog-calling, Razorback-red-bleeding fans this season. Living right here in the shadow of Razorback stadium is such a fun culture, and when the Hogs have momentum like they built throughout this season — it’s electric. Next year, Hogs. NEXT YEAR.
Blogging and writing and #tcoyos. #Tcoyos technically started in 2013, but we didn’t christen it with the #tcoyos moniker until early 2014. What started as a weekend experiment more than a year ago, has turned into a quarterly retreat (#tcoyos 5 is coming up!) that is equal parts work, play, rest, and therapy. 2014 meant serious time spent writing and focusing, but not as much time blogging. In fact, I got a year-end recap from WordPress telling me I blogged only HALF as much in 2014 as I did in 2013. I’m anxious to see what 2015 holds.
Firsts. Baby years are full of firsts, but I felt that slow down considerably over the years. In 2014, however, I loved watching Colt experience a few firsts. First lost tooth, first canoe trip on the Buffalo, first roller coaster during first trip to Silver Dollar City, and first Spring Break trip — just to name a few. From now on I’ll be looking for them, Buddy. Trying new things is exciting — and I hope that never wears off.
Telling Tom’s story. I have written about Tom many times over the years, and I’ve been fairly comfortable with that method of sharing him with people. But 2014 brought two opportunities to share his story – out loud – with new people. Over Memorial Day weekend, I shared Tom with our church family, and again a few weeks later by way of a program called “Aha Moments” through Mutual of Omaha. I hope 2015 brings more confidence to share Tom with more people in more ways.
2015, you’ve got your work cut out for ya.
