Dear 2017,
You gave us challenges and we sauntered on. Year of my wife’s TBI, you tried to take her joy and sense of humor, to take her voice and crush our spirits, but her will was stronger. First full year in our home, you sheltered us and gave us safe harbor when work and life and the headlines threatened to toss us headlong into the rocks. Year of hiking and backpacking trips teaching us we are stronger than we thought possible. Year we each saved the other when the trail got too tough. Year of beautiful views and campfire smells in our clothes. Year we didn’t make it to the Cape, but instead found solace in places like Christmas Rocks, Lake Vesuvius, and the Laurel Highlands. Year of work change-ups, you shifted people into places and roles when we were unprepared. Year we learned to bear it. Year when the only thing I wrote was a new cover letter. Year my sister unfriended me; when broken bloodlines made chosen family even more important. Year we discovered the beauty in our own backyard, and in our neighbors. Year I didn’t see my best friend, and year I learned to never let that happen again. Year of so much violence we dreaded the news. Year I hated the sound of the president’s voice, the curl of his lip, and his utter lack of empathy or basic human kindness. Year I had to fight to find hope for future generations. 2017, you were good, bad, and indifferent. You made us show our strength. Made us bare our teeth. Made us hold onto each other. Made us fight for what matters. Dear 2017, we will not forget you, and here’s hoping we are better for the getting through. -----
We are starting 2018 off on a new adventure and we hope that you will join us for the ride. Here's a picture of our crazy super fast hike from today in 3 degree weather. Happy New Year from the Rodenborgs.
Only Amanda can smile and make 3 degrees look so beautiful.
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