Last December I was physically and mentally exhausted, not from Christmas, but from life and I needed a break.  I deemed 2024 to be the “Year of Sheree” (YOS).  It sounds quite narcissistic, I know, but truly it wasn’t.

I think I can trace the beginning of my fatigue to 2008. Most of us have had crazy years and we just pull up our big girl (boy) pants and get on with it.  But this was different, it was a never-ending roller coaster.

The loss of our main income. The need for us to live in separate states so the kids could finish in “their” high school.  An unexpected tumor called Boomer.  Preparing, selling the house, packing for another move to another state.  House living to apartment living to condo living.  A new ACL called Doug.  Back to apartment living while building a house. Living apart again for nearly a year, while managing the build. Add in a few side jobs and a wedding or two. I also helped out with our precious granddaughter. I was riding this roller coaster for years while hoping not to alienate my family and friends throughout the whole process. You know, life stuff… But,

2024 the Year of Sheree

was to be about sitting still, meditating, digging out those paints, slow breathing, and reading.

It started out great.  Well, the words of the idea sounded great! A friend even made me a sign to remind me of this momentous occasion. A whole year dedicated just to me.

Life continued on, ignoring the declaration of my year when a sister needed help, I popped out to Chicago to lend a hand.  A friend’s son was tying the knot, so I helped plan their wedding.  Our beautiful daughter had her wedding coming up, so there were a few trips to Denver. (There was reading on those trips so check that off the list.)

Months flew by and the wedding was celebrated with family and friends and was spectacular! It was also the end of July.  Where had seven months gone?

Ok, I had to get to work on “making” the YOS happen.  I decided to take a trip, that was it!  Not to Asia or Europe, but rather to visit all those friends who had taken the time to come and visit me throughout the years.  Yep, that would be relaxing! 

The trip started mid-September – 16 Days, 5 states, 7 flights, four sets of friends, two sets of family members – and the YOS had begun!! 

Though it sounded exhausting, it was actually the most delightful trip.  Not only did it help me, but I’m hoping I was able to offer a little assistance to each of my friends, if not only to be their comic relief.

I returned home in October to our granddaughter’s 2nd birthday and then started planning/shopping for Christmas installs.  November, we began glittering client’s homes with sparkles and ribbon and December brought us a wonderful new addition to the family, a beautiful new granddaughter.  

Fast forward to mid-December 2024.

In retrospect there wasn’t too much meditating, slow breathing, painting or sitting on my own in the YOS. I did get the biggest hugs from friends whom I hadn’t seen in a while, I made new friends and had old friends who had never seen our home, visit us in Payson. 

I learned a little more about myself. A year to yourself doesn’t mean you’re going to get everything you want or be “by” yourself doing only “your” stuff and not helping others with “their” stuff.

It allowed me to look at my life differently by realizing that all the things I do ARE the Year of Sheree.  The meditating I wanted might be waiting in the line at the grocery, and that breathing is slow breathing if you’re not walking up a mountain.  Reading Curious George to a two-year old is reading and I do sit still when I’m driving or flying to visit those I love.  Painting, well that’s a little harder… when I can make someone smile, I believe I’ve really created a masterpiece, haven’t I?

So, the year of Sheree WAS a success.   Maybe not on paper but in my heart.  I came to the realization that perhaps saying the words out loud “year of…” made me aware that I’m the only one who can make me sit still, meditate, breath slowly, read and paint. I’m the only one standing in my way…

Please make next year the…

Year of “insert your name here.”

 It won’t be as you expect.  It will be so much better.

Merry Christmas my friends,

Grateful for you,

Sheree

p.s.  Since my year really didn’t get started until like September, I’m rolling mine over into 2025.  Hey, I’m making up the rules as I go!