Many a New Year’s Eve I’ve looked back at those twelve previous months and been absolutely amazed at how far I’d come and how blessed I’ve been for the life I live. Not to preempt this particular post with words that lead to a depressing list of a year filled with the opposite. But undoubtedly this year has brought a different sort of retrospective. Changes abound, as one would expect of any year, but with all the moments of joy and laughter, there were many significant moments of unexpected sadness and loss that challenged my sense of self, my definition of love, of family, of hope, of faith, and redemption.

And before I get too serious or launch into some uncomfortably personal diatribe which, as a Virgo, I avoid at all costs, I’d like to shift gears by sharing a photo of my brilliant son – maybe one of the year’s top 10 – as he makes the executive decision to hold off on potty training for the time being, so as to wear these fabulous underoos as a rather stylish hat. A hat he was hard pressed to remove, especially where leaving the house to make public appearances were concerned.

I can say without hesitation that my son has truly come into his own this year, developing a personality, interests, likes and dislikes, an opinion, a curiosity of everything around him. It amazes me and shows me how much there is to life that we take for granted over time. Little joys and discoveries that are exciting, that bring you back to the basics and away from the complications we create for ourselves as we grow older.

I obviously have no idea what the year ahead holds for me, and I hesitate to even guess. But if I could wish for just one think, it would be for my beautiful son to live in a world with endless possibility, that he continue to explore, get his hands dirty, learn to play nice, enjoy snack time, take advantage of afternoon naps and freely give ‘fishie’ kisses to everyone he adores without fear of rejection or a love not reciprocated. I hope he hugs as much as possible, shares his goldfish with his neighbors, waves at everyone he meets, walks up to elderly men to say hello to ‘Santa Claus’, to be enamored with Scooby Doo, and proud of his ability to turn on his bedtime songs all by himself. These are the things that matter. These are the moments that make a year memorable. This is the stuff dreams are made of. This is a happy childhood.

This is my wish for the year ahead.

Happy New Years.