For the sake of all that is holy, no politics in this one, please.

Since it is a sports site, I will start with the Cavaliers and Cubs ending long championship droughts.

Five big ones for me, in no particular order:

 

I got to stand on the altar with my brother-in-law as he married his first and only girlfriend. High school sweethearts…started dating as high school freshman. It was a great feeling to see two people who are so happy together dedicate themselves to one another for life, and cool to think about them as uncle and aunt to my future children.

 

My Dad had a heart attack last Thanksgiving. It wasn’t a big one, but after the fact they found that his heart was not functioning well at all. A couple of surgeries later, a pacemaker/defibrillator implant later, and months of cardiac rehab later, he went back for testing early this past fall and doctors said his heart function was back into the very normal range. Definitely something I’m grateful to God for.

 

I had a short stint in the first half of the year working with Louisville Metro Parks. Those who know me well know how much I love the outdoors, and also know that I’m a good bit of a “tree geek”. In the course of working for the Parks, I got to hold an original park plan designed in the 1800s by Frederick Law Olmsted…who is a personal hero of mine. Really a cool experience for me.

 

I got to go fishing with my Dad for the first time since I was a child. We used to go fishing quite a bit when I was little, but it had been over 20 years since I fished with him last. It almost brought me to tears standing on the bank next to Dad and my younger brother while we each had a line in the water. There’s a lot to be said for small things in life.

 

I got a text from my wife a couple of weeks back that read “I passed my boards!”. She’s in her last year of medical school, and although I’ve had all the faith in the world that she would do fine with things, it was a great great feeling to know that she had finally completed everything required to become a doctor. I was finished with all of my formal education prior to meeting my wife, and I’d never really known what it meant to have to support someone in their education, so my lesson in doing so was learned through her med school experience, and I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a good deal harder on me than I had ever expected – I can hardly even wrap my mind around how hard it was for her. But what relief…

I got hitched and got a new teaching gig.

2016 was my first year in my new home in a new neighborhood. Met many really good people in my neighborhood and through exploration when walking the dogs, have discovered what a gem area I live in.

 

I believe I have finally completely kicked the smoking habit. In February it will be 1 year. The first time I've ever made it this long with out relapsing.

 

My nephew was able to get legally married in Kentucky.

 

My son and his family have come back to Louisville.

 

My daughter's fiance got a GREAT new job.

 

I was able to watch "Law & Order: SVU" in New York City, and "Hawaii Five-O" in Honolulu. :lol2: In all seriousness, though work, I was able to visit 2 places on my bucket list.

 

I have a really good job that just keeps getting better for me.

Edited December 31, 20169 yr by rockmom

Five big ones for me, in no particular order:

 

I got to stand on the altar with my brother-in-law as he married his first and only girlfriend. High school sweethearts…started dating as high school freshman. It was a great feeling to see two people who are so happy together dedicate themselves to one another for life, and cool to think about them as uncle and aunt to my future children.

 

My Dad had a heart attack last Thanksgiving. It wasn’t a big one, but after the fact they found that his heart was not functioning well at all. A couple of surgeries later, a pacemaker/defibrillator implant later, and months of cardiac rehab later, he went back for testing early this past fall and doctors said his heart function was back into the very normal range. Definitely something I’m grateful to God for.

 

I had a short stint in the first half of the year working with Louisville Metro Parks. Those who know me well know how much I love the outdoors, and also know that I’m a good bit of a “tree geek”. In the course of working for the Parks, I got to hold an original park plan designed in the 1800s by Frederick Law Olmsted…who is a personal hero of mine. Really a cool experience for me.

 

I got to go fishing with my Dad for the first time since I was a child. We used to go fishing quite a bit when I was little, but it had been over 20 years since I fished with him last. It almost brought me to tears standing on the bank next to Dad and my younger brother while we each had a line in the water. There’s a lot to be said for small things in life.

 

I got a text from my wife a couple of weeks back that read “I passed my boards!”. She’s in her last year of medical school, and although I’ve had all the faith in the world that she would do fine with things, it was a great great feeling to know that she had finally completed everything required to become a doctor. I was finished with all of my formal education prior to meeting my wife, and I’d never really known what it meant to have to support someone in their education, so my lesson in doing so was learned through her med school experience, and I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a good deal harder on me than I had ever expected – I can hardly even wrap my mind around how hard it was for her. But what relief…

Good stuff. Glad to hear your dad is doing good.

Today is the 247th day since my heart tried to kill me #DefibrillatorsRule

 

All and all, 2016 was a pretty good year...looking forward to 2017.

After 2 years on third shift, I transitioned into a new job working days back in August. Have lost 20 lbs and feel considerably better health wise. Wasn't aware of the toll 3rd shift was taking on me until getting back on days for a few months.

 

It's great to be back amongst the living...:thumb:

 

Have had a great time with my son getting him prepared and locating a good college fit for him. We've bonded and our time spent on recruiting trips has been priceless! Mrs. C1 and I are already preparing for the nest to be empty come August so we've already planned on more date nights and are going to learn Italian. Planning a trip to Italy in 2018. 2016 was a great "family building" and getting healthier year for us and for that I have a lot of gratitude.

 

It is my sincere hope all of you have a blessed and prosperous 2017! Have fun and be safe tonight...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

:dancingpa