2018 - A Glance Back
As I look forward to welcoming 2019, I reflect on this past year. Overall, 2018 was a good year but life can be fragile, we never know what will happen from day to day. Occasionally, things occur to make me take pause and be grateful for all that I have. I lost both of my grandmothers this year and while death is inevitable it is still sad. I celebrate both of their lives as they were amazing women that lived into their nineties, one almost made it to one hundred. I hope to follow in their footsteps and live a long healthy life.
In January, I started a new job in the hospitality industry, I worked in hospice for eighteen years and welcomed the change. My new company is in the city center of Denver and I am fortunate to take public transportation to work. I have met many amazing people, made several friends and am happy in my new position.
In April, I started this blog on my fortieth birthday during a celebration trip to France with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and a good friend of mine. I traveled with my parents to Paris and toured them around the city as an introduction on their first European trip.
We met my friend at the train station in Paris then traveled to Provence to meet my brother and sister-in-law. We stayed at a gorgeous Airbnb in Aix-en-Provence and toured the Luberon and Provence by car. We went to Les Baux, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Bonnieux, Menerbes, Gordes, Roussilon, Lourmarin, Sénanque Abbey, Arles and Camargue.
Our next stop was Marseilles, in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region. At this point of the trip it was just my parents, brother and I. When we arrived to our Airbnb, there was a half dozen roses left by the host for my birthday, very sweet. We were in Marseilles for two nights, then our parents went on a Mediterranean cruise from Marseilles and we continued on to the Burgundy region.
My brother and I ventured to the Burgundy region visiting Beaune and Auxey-Duresses. We stayed at The Hungry Cyclist Lodge and it was wonderful. I adore this area and loved our time here.
Next stop was the Alsace region where we stayed and toured Colmar. We also popped into Germany for an afternoon visiting Breisach. It was a goal this year to visit one new country, I was happy to achieve that.
My brother and I ended my fortieth celebration with a night in Paris. We had been to France a couple of times together but never to Paris. Since we had been before, it was nice to see some sights off the beaten path.
In June, I celebrated my one-year anniversary in my tiny addition. My project took longer than expected and of course cost more than anticipated but I am thrilled with the end product. I adore my tiny space and it was great to have been living here for a year. I look forward to spending more time in this space.
In August, we stayed at my brother’s cabin in Montezuma to celebrate my father’s seventieth birthday. We took him on a surprise boat ride on Lake Dillon for his birthday then went into Frisco for dinner. We had a fantastic weekend celebration.
In September, I visited California’s Central Coast. I stayed in Santa Cruz and visited the Redwoods, Big Sur, Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea and did the 17 Mile Drive through Pebble Beach. I loved this area of California.
October started with my brother’s wedding, it was one of the best days of the year. The day could not have been more perfect, they exuded love and happiness. I will remember this day for the rest of my life.
Apparently October was the perfect time to visit Seattle, who knew?! At least it worked out well for my friend and I, it was the perfect weather and the fall leaves were stunning. I adored Seattle more than I was anticipating and would love to revisit.
My parents moved to Denver in December and we celebrated our first Christmas here. It is the start of many new traditions and a new chapter in all of our lives.
I think it is important to reflect on the past year while anticipating the new year and what it has in store. There will always be good and bad, but I am fortunate to have had such an amazing year. I look forward to the many great things to come. I am hopeful to achieve my goals in 2019 and to travel to new places. I wish each of you a happy and healthy new year to come!
If you want to share your highlights from 2018 or your goals for 2019, please comment below!