525,600 Minutes- How Do You Measure A Year

2011. Holy cow is that weird. I think it is weird every single year when we say farewell to one year and hello to a new one. Every time I start thinking about years, I think about one of my all time favorite musicals "Rent". The lyrics to Seasons Love makes me think.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

Is it watching your newborn morph in to a toddler right before your eyes? From sleeping through the night, to eating solids, to sitting up, then crawling and quickly walking and sort of talking?

Is it watching your husband pour his heart, his energy and his soul into a new business that has become something bigger and better than we ever imagined?

Is it measured by the fact that finally there is feeling that the house we bought before Brady is now truly a home? Toys scattered EVERYWHERE, a refrigerator with whole milk, a diaper genie in our loft, and bottle parts found in every drawer that you open?

Is it measured in nights out, single or with husband which was dramatically reduced because all we need on a Saturday night is upstairs in his crib sleeping soundly and a good movie on demand?

Is it measured in things bought? New car, new appliances, a new bathroom and new toys.

Is it thinking about where you have been? 2010 symbolized a massive change for us. Two working parents. We made, we adjusted, we survived and Brady is still thriving.

Is watching your only brother marry the woman of his dreams on a gorgeous night with their love and devotion apparent to everyone in the room?

Is it thinking about what is lost? We said goodbye Glenn's godfather and uncle yesterday?

Is it what has stayed constant? My girls, my rocks...they are still here. They have not left my side since we met in college and in 2010 they rose up and have helped me more than they know.

Is it looking back and knowing that you wouldn't change for one second anything that happened in 2010. Not the frustration, the sadness, the pain, and the hurt. And not the happiness, the joy, and the feeling that this is what life is all about.

Tho' the story never ends

Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love!

You know that love is a gift from up above
Share love, give love spread love
Measure your life in love.