The new year has begun! Even though it’s been more than a few weeks since we counted down to the new year, I wanted to take this time to look back at the past decade and welcome the coming years with open arms. I’ve done a lot of growing and so much personal improvement that it’s almost hard to keep up.
This last decade has been a rollercoaster of a journey and has had more twists and turns than anyone could ever predict. As a family, we’ve gone through some really hard times together. We’ve faced things that nobody should ever have to stand up against. We’ve lost people dear to us, fought people whom we thought were on our side and suffered a great deal over things that shouldn’t have been problems in the first place. It hasn’t been easy.
Even though all of that is true, it’s hard to look at this last decade as something terrible that will always haunt me. Things haven’t been easy, it’s true; but life is about more than just the hard times. It’s tough but you have to learn to see though the drama and chaos and see the beautiful life we’ve built with each other. We were knocked down until none of us could see a way out but still we chose to live as if there was no tomorrow because in the end, we still had each other.
My younger brother Jake, is sixteen this year and he’s already 6ft tall! He’s bright and quick-witted and humourously cocky. He’s a wizz with games and insanely talented at puzzles. He has the most beautiful soul and even though his personal difficulties can sometimes frustrate him, he never lets it stop him. He’s always progressing and I’m incredibly proud of the little man he’s turning into. I’m so proud to be his big sister.
My mum is my hero. She’s been there for me since day one and there is nobody on this planet that I would rather confide in. She’s come a long way this past decade. Her health completely buckled, personal battles almost got the better of her, and yet she still walks around with a smile on her face and her head held high. She has taught me so many valuble things growing up and I will always love her for those lessons. She’s my role model and my best friend and I am so proud to call her mum. There’s nobody more deserving of that title than her.
As for me, I know that I’ve come a long way. I entered this decade as an emotionally broken ten year old. I was unhappy with my life and was stressed with everthing that would follow in the years to come. By the time I hit my fifteenth birthday, I was utterly torn down and didn’t know how to battle what was going on or how I was feeling. I felt lost. When I reached seventeen, I made a big change in my life and started to properly heal from there.
From then until now, I’ve done a lot of personal growth. I got a big thing off my chest that had been clogging me up and thankfully (as expected), my family accepted me without question.
This year I’m turning twenty years old and I am the happiest now that I’ve ever been.
This coming year is both scary and exciting. It’s scary because I’m unsure about what it’s going to bring but I’m excited because of the same thing. So, regardless of what this next decade brings; I’m going to welcome it with open arms and I’m going to keep doing art and keep fixing my website until it’s perfect. I’m going learn, meet new people and grow.
It’s going to be a good year. Bring it on!
Cerys