delara, interrupted

January 1st has always been a special day for me, but not because of the usual reasons for which people might feel this way. There is a newness about the day that is unlike any other. (Except maybe March 21 - ask me about that sometime.) It's almost like the day on which a baby is born. Fresh, clean, unique, precious. I'm not into "new year's resolutions" per se because I've observed that for most people (including myself) they're an empty ritual full of empty promises. But I do get very reflective on this day, and marking it somehow is always a joy.

3 or 4 years ago, I spent a very special new year's day with some of my closest girlfriends. Amelia and Charla were among the crew gathered that day, and the activity of choice was reflecting on our heart's desire - specifically, attracting into our lives our heart's desire. What we chose to identify as our heart's desire was different for each of us - a husband, an ideal job, more financial security, a better sense of a "calling"... Although most of us admittedly focused on finding our ideal mate. (as if such a thing actually exists...) So we created a plan to realize our heart's desire, listing qualities we seek, what we were willing to commit or contribute to the search, etc.

Since that gathering, each of us has gone through significant changes in our life - separation, marriage, loss of a loved one, new jobs, no jobs, etc. Each of us has also worked actively on our "attraction plans" and has supported the others in pursuing our heart's desire. Some of us have actually attained or attracted into our lives those very things we mapped out that day. Most significantly, though, new bonds that can be traced back to that new year's day have sustained us through a lot of life's events and have only grown stronger and deeper over time - a precious gift by any standard.

Today, I had another wonderful bonding experience - with the delightful Kari. After our supah-fun pah-tay last night (food and games galore!) Kari stayed over, having just driven back from MN. We had such a great time today, not even doing anything in particular. There was much lounging, in fact. But it was just such a great time! And now I'm looking forward to the growth of this bond and the amazing new ideas that will be realized (between the two of us I really think we'll rule the world one day) over the coming years.

What I am most grateful for as this new year begins are the phenomenal friendships with which I have been blessed over the years - some long-standing, some nascent. All significant contributors to who I am and what I am able to do with my life. I look forward to sharing many more of life's joys and experiences together. Thank you, all.

And happy new year.