recapping twenty thirteen + happy new year!

"It was the best of years, it was the worst of years."

Dear 2013,
You were filled with so much laughter, tears, good times, and nights with heavy hearts. 
Twenty -thirteen was learning what's right, and sticking with it. It was diving into the past to see how God worked and learning to let go of the battle wounds. It was learning that sometimes it's right to let go, but sometimes you're suppose to hold on.  It was finding out that people move on, and it's okay- it's part of life. 

This year was the hardest year of my life. It was filled with too many tears, a heavy heart, and empty days, but I learned something worth all the pain. Grace will always remain. No matter how terrible the day is- my God is alive. And He is faithful- so so faithful.

Ahh, but there were good times too, so many good times. 
 +  riding shotgun with the radio cranked up   +   so many awkward moments   +   group hugs  +   awkward "family" photos with the 17 people in drama class   +    laughing till our throats were sore and our stomachs ached   +   seeing the West Coast for the first time   +   wearing dorky plastic fedoras and 5 in high hot pink bunny ears while stocking my uncle's store    +   happy selfies with my cousins at midnight (it was worth using flash)   +   roadtrips all over the state   +   flying solo across the country    +   long talks with my bestie    +    finding new music   +  meeting new people   +    finding new favorite books  +  learning that i am not, but i know I AM   +   earning new nicknames  +   finding Jesus in the mundane   +

Twenty-thirteen, you've been grand.
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Dear 2014, 

Please be good. 

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly- you're doing something. So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make new mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Makes mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work, or family, or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing,  d o   i t.  Make your mistakes, next year and forever. "

- Neil Gaiman

Happy New Year, darlings!
xxx. -marcia