As a blogger, it’s always fun to look back at the posts you’ve written throughout the year. It shows me what happened in my life over the past 12 months and how far I’ve come.
I’ve done many years in review over the past few years, from the more visual to the more reflective, or simply just my top posts from the year. (If you read any of my years in review, the one I wrote the year of my divorce is definitely my favorite – it illustrated my journey back to me.)
Since I haven’t had as much time to devote to writing on this blog in 2016, I decided to do my year in review entirely in haiku. Because even when life is too fast and too crazy for me to write 500+ words 3 – 4 times per week, I can always get in 17 syllables to keep the writing juices flowing.
I took a few of the more random and silly haiku out and strung together these 32 haiku to create my 2016 year in review. (The dated links take you to the original posts. Some have more context, some don’t. Take from them what you will.)
Here’s to an amazing 2017.
No longer willing
To compromise her true self
Love without limits
Strength beyond measure
She pushed herself to the brink
A new love defined
That which occupied
her mind confused her and yet
made her feel alive
Solidarity
Because when sh*t gets too real
You are not alone
Single parenting
Keeping it all together
With sheer will and hugs
Intense emotion
She didn’t know what to do
Where did this come from?
Some things you can’t say
And they lay deep in your heart
Hoping to be freed
3 weeks left of school
More permission slips to sign
Is it summer yet?
Barefoot and dirty
Sweat dripping down my forehead
Love, laughter and weights
Hammock in the yard
Summer is that much better
Cannot wait to write
Delicate yet bold
She was struck by the beauty
Though it pierced her so
Love is an action
Until it is no longer
Careful what you say
She then stopped and asked
But how is your heart doing?
His eyes said it all
Staring at the stars
Escaped from reality
Lost in profound thought
Rejuvenated
Broken down and built back up
For a new purpose
Complete exhaustion
When your brain can’t quite function
Totally worth it
Though your words still hurt
It’s only temporary
I am whole again
she couldn’t help but
feel life so deeply that it
brought tears to her eyes
The first day of school
Nervousness, excitement and…
Would rather just sleep
Social Good Summit
Food, friends, security, mice
So much to take in
her head was spinning
overwhelmed by confusion
at what lies ahead
Crisp air, football games
squirrels eating our pumpkins
and apple donuts
With eyes wide open
She stood strong above the storm
Ready to receive
Deadlines are looming
Football practice rules our lives
Calm despite chaos
when life if too much
pulled in every direction
something has to give
A historic day
Marked with both pride and some fear
We will persevere
Pushed into action.
The most difficult events
bring the biggest change.
Thankful for my boys.
Grateful for love in my life
and second chances.
I like good strong words.
Words with purpose and meaning
That stick to your soul.
Crazy December
So much packed into one month
What was I doing?
Christmas exploded
in my house and my office.
A controlled chaos.
Christmas came early
Already got what I wished
Merry Christmas, me
