t is funny how your memories are snapshots of people, places and feelings you acquire while living. This holiday has been so very special for me. It is like I have come out of a long slumber and truly just began living my life on my own terms for the first time. I think we as women, tend to live our lives for others; making allowances for bullshit and “sucking it up”. I stopped “sucking it up” permanently a little over year ago. And this gal I continue becoming, is still a wonderful mystery to me.

This year was marked with firsts. These firsts included: my teen living apart from me, buying my first Christmas tree in years, helping build a real gingerbread house, getting a freaking snuggie that has since been taken over by my teen (who LOVES it), roasting my first turkey in years, wrapping Christmas presents by myself and loving it, Prada glasses, making my first toy “Justin” ever with teen and most importantly quieting all the fear that has chased after me for so long. It is so nice to regain control of my mind, body and spirit.

My two-week visitation with my teen is coming to close and it feels a little bittersweet. This time, it is more sweet than bitter and I am taking all these little snapshots of the memories and feelings I acquired this holiday season and tucking them away in my heart so that I can enjoy them always. Life is continuous. Happiness is a choice. These are not anecdotes, rather ways of thinking that allow us to grab life and enjoy the ride. Giddity up.