2009 in Retrospect
I spent the morning reading through old blogposts for the year. Evidently, I really wanted a more peaceful life. (I got it.) And somehow, I knew change was in the air.
Biggest Disappointment: I really want a baby. Very badly. I’m not feeling much hope on that front, for health reasons, age reasons, private reasons, and health insurance reasons. I cry inside a little (or a lot), every time I see a child. I’m trying not to think about it for a year or so. I’m not succeeding.
I ended my piano studio on a kick-ass note. I decluttered, decluttered, and purged this year.
Number 1 Thing I’m Proud Of: After three (or more) years of contemplation, yearning, and restlessness, I am finally living outside the window. These are my new adventures. I bought, (broke), and fixed a camper.
Campground life in Ohio rocked. Except for Dish Day, which was a lot of work there. But I didn’t want to leave: I was close to my best friend and niece. I miss them daily. Especially my niece, who is turning three today!
Restlessness followed me to my first stop, but not to Arizona. Part of that restlessness was my foot; I’m dying to get back to Tae Kwon Do. The foot’s actually doing better, and I practice my kicks in the pool every day. As soon as I can run, I’m signing up.
I am disappointed I won’t get to Slab City for another year.
The trip across the US was exhilarating. Living in Arizona is like living in the Wild West. Border Patrol is BIG, here.
Number 1 Thing I’m Least Proud Of: On a related note, I’ve been wrangling with writing all year. I felt I was getting worse. I wish my word count had been better. I want writing to be easier and faster in 2010.
ADD has been a big challenge for me, probably because my lungs have been drowning, and lack of oxygen makes thinking even more difficult.
I decided to read 365 books from September 2009-2010. I am about thirty books behind, but I’m thrilled that reading has become a bigger part of my life than Facebook and blogging, LOL. (Although I miss the socializing!)
At the beginning of the year, I was moved to tears at Obama’s inauguration. Near the end of the year, I was heartbroken over the prejudice against same-sex marriage.
And finally, my favorite and most self-inspiring post of the year is There’s No Traffic On the Extra Mile. For the thing that was most hard for me to write this year, I went twenty extra miles to get it done. (Seriously, swear to God, it was so challenging for me that I just went crazy, doing about eighty times the work it called for, and that’s probably an under-estimation.) And I’m tickled pink that it ended really well, being one of the things I’m most proud of.
Overall, it was a year of big changes, probably the biggest of my life thus far. I miss my niece and best friend. I can breathe better here, and I’m learning how to control my asthma. I think it’s a year I can be proud of.
How was your 2009? What are you most proud of? Least? What’s your verdict?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats and husband. She spends summers camped near her niece, because, well, her niece is her favorite girl on the planet.
Natasha, your year had its ups and downs, but damn, you survived. I’m glad that you’ve been my writing, blog and F-book buddy throughout. Your constant good cheer kept my chin up (although it still sags…go figure).
My 2009 was just okay. I’m looking forward to 2010 with the hope that it’ll be better than the last.
Thanks, Kath! Right back at you!
(My constant good cheer? I always worry I’m too whiny!)
I hope 2010 is better, too! For you and me both!
I just read your post about the extra mile again. Reading it, I teared up.
My 2009 didn’t end the way I hoped. But it’s all good. (That’s my mantra now. lol) I believe my writing has gotten better, and I’m proud of that. Yesterday I sent my CPs the revised first three chapters of my WIP. I got one back this morning, and my CP said it was magic. Thinking about it, I’m choked up.
Least proud of? Can’t think of anything right now. I don’t dwell on the things that go wrong.
I’m really inspired by that post. Maybe I’ll repost it so it’ll be on my new blog.
Edie, your mantra cracks me up! I keep saying that to my best friend, (Well, my version is, “But it’s okay.”) and she laughs. I’m so laid back, compared to a year ago.
I think your writing is magic, too, what little I’ve read of it.
I just read my comment, and I’m not proud of my grammar. I know better than that.
LOL! It was nothing! Don’t worry. I edited, so you wouldn’t have to feel embarrassed. I prolly made it worse.
I can’t TELL you the number of times I don’t edit my comments. One would wonder if I even knew the English language, at times!
But we all know you know your grammar, especially when writing for real!
What an amazing year you’ve had. Pivotal. Is that the word? The years I’ve had, where my life has changed, it was mostly thanks to circumstances forcing a change. That you made the change yourself is unusual and praiseworthy.
My year? Well, another year where the wolf didn’t make it to the door. So that’s a success. I did read more. Not in your league but eighty boos is a LOT more than I’ve been reading.
Eric, the only way I made this change was to convince myself that it was my only choice. So it wasn’t so much bravery, LOL…
That’s a HUGE success. I’m hoping for one of those years next year.
I’m so happy seeing you look back at the year with wisdom, Natasha. Mostly I’m happy to see you heady back toward the martial arts. Never quit.
Oh, Rick, I miss it so much! Every time I try to work my foot, it starts failing on me. But I’ll get back. Somehow!
As you know, 2009 was the hardest year.I suspect I have survived it and that is a victory.
Phew, Bernita. It’s a HUGE victory. Honestly… I don’t know how I’d do it. But I guess we don’t get a choice about these things.
Wow! Natasha, I can’t even imagine a more exciting year! You rearranged your entire life and went to follow your dreams. I’m so proud of you, and happy for you.
Looking back on 2009, it’s been sort of a “blah” year. I can’t think of anything great that I accomplished. I was just sort of “there”. I’m going to try to make this next year a bit more exciting.
I don’t have a mantra, but I say this to the kids all the time – “Life sucks and then you die.” Isn’t that awful? I thought I was more upbeat than that!
LOL, Robin! Thanks.
It was a ton of change, for sure! It still feels a little surreal.
You went to China this year!
That’s funny! LOL! That’s funny, more than upbeat, and funny makes people laugh, which makes everyone’s mood much more upbeat! So yeah, that’s still upbeat.
Still too much going on for me to look back on 09 yet. There was good and bad. I remember that. But I’ll probably do this kind of retrospective post at some point. Congrats on all your adventures for the year.
Good and bad. That’s life, mostly! I’ll look forward to your post, Charles!
You’ve done a lot this year. You should be proud of your accomplishments.
Thanks, Written! Until I looked back, I was bummed. I looked back with dread, for sure.
Wow, you really have had quite a year!
Aside from continuing with my writing, the only bright spot was getting a puppy. Everything else sucked, and the more I think about it the more bad things I can think of. I hate pinning all my hopes on ‘10, but I really hope things get better.
On that note, Happy New Year!
Sometimes, it’s best not to look back.
I’m sorry, Melanie! I’ve really got my fingers crossed for you for 2010. And Owen is the BEST!
To a Happy and WONDERFUL New Year!
How was your 2009?
I shouldn’t be answering this the day before Christmas Eve, because I’m in such a good mood – that said, 2009 was fantastic. 2009 was the best year of my life. Mom died in 2008. 2009 was a year to just enjoy, and I didn’t have to worry about the trials and frustration of cancer – I could just live and appreciate. To watch Brie grow and learn (and cry sometimes) and thrive. To watch her laugh with glee and to laugh with her. She has such a pleasant personality (most of the time). There are times when she just completely cracks me up. As I’ve said many times – she brightens my heart every day. I enjoy my job – I miss Brie – but I like what I do – I help people and impact their lives – and I can get a latte by literally walking 20 steps out of my library. We have one more house payment and then it will be all ours. My heart just overflows with gratitude and joy. 2009 has truly been the best year of my life. AND I got to live near you for the first time in 15 years!!! And I got to see you and Brie play together – although I know that while you love her, it also breaks your heart and I’m sorry for that.
What are you most proud of?
Um, well, this is quite obvious, but Brie. As you know, my biggest goal in life is to help her grow to be like my Mom. If I can do that – I will have achieved my greatest wish. So far, I’m proud of how she is growing. I’m also proud about the house thing – but that is not so much my doing, as the result of my parents deaths – so it’s hard to be very proud of that.
Least?
Hmm – I wish I would stop staying up so late to play on the internet or watch tv and get more sleep. Also, I’ve gained back 15 pounds of the 30 that I lost in 2008.
What’s your verdict?
I think it’s pretty obvious – fantastic – my cup truly does overflow – my biggest challenge is to appreciate it and show gratitude, and not worry that I don’t deserve it or I’m about to be hit by a big whammie!
I love you my dear friend. YOU brighten my heart too – and if I could get a personal wish granted (ignoring the obvious wishes of ending poverty, hatred etc.) it would be that your life would be a bit easier.