I read this New Year’s reflection at the blog of the lovely Miss M, a blogger I am lucky to have connected with in real life. She is so mature and wise that while having lunch with her I truly forgot she was young enough to be my daughter.
Instead of reviewing the last year, she went with the last decade—and hers was a doozy. I had to steal her idea.
10 years ago . . .
My kids were 14, 9, 6 and 5. That is a whole ‘nother parenting world from having kids ages 24, 19, 16 and 15 as I do today.
10 years ago . . .
I was in the thick of being a stay-at-home mom with tons of volunteering gigs, being a Girl Scout leader of two troops and carpooling to umpteen different sports events.
Today I have finished college, have my teaching credential and am looking forward to working full-time someday soon. All but one of the kids drives.
10 years ago . . .
I was pretty much a stranger to big loss. I wish I could say that today, but this is life we’re talking about.
10 years ago . . .
I wasn’t even sure I was done having kids and now I’m on the verge of an empty nest.
10 years ago . . .
I knew my way around a computer for things like emails and newsletters, but had never heard of a blog. According to Wikipedia they started in 1999, but it took me until 2007 to discover them.
Some things never change . . .
Same husband, same house, same dog* (but with one added since then), same kids. Just the way I like it!
HAPPY 2010!
*I’m pretty sure I stole this too—I just can’t remember from where.
I was just thinking about 10 years ago, the NY Eve I spent with my grandparents. I had just started dating a guy, and he asked me to go out, but something told me spending the night with my grandparents would be a better memory, and boy was I right. I called my grandpa last night to remind him of that night and we laughed about it.
Happy New Year! I hope this is a great year for you and your family.
Posted by: jenrantsraves | January 01, 2010 at 10:13 AM
I like it! Ten years ago, I was engaged and spending the New Year at an Inn in VT, waiting for Y2K to bring us back to the Stone Age.
Posted by: Manic Mommy | January 01, 2010 at 10:23 AM
10 years ago my kids were 12, 8, and 5, and my marriage had only been over 2 years. God. I hadn't even decided to move to Martha's Vineyard yet. Can't imagine what the next 10 will bring us....
Posted by: Maureen@IslandRoar | January 01, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Ten years ago I nursed my firstborn at midnight during the Y2K craze that made my computer-salesman hubby a ton of money. I remember standing with him on the porch of our little house hearing the cheers in the neighborhood and half wondering if the lights would go out.
Posted by: Green Girl in Wisconsin | January 01, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Amazing what ten years can do.
I'm relieved because I actually thought you had something real stolen from you, like a car or something, on New Year's Eve.
Phew!
Posted by: Jason | January 01, 2010 at 01:07 PM
I love this. 10 years makes a huge difference...remember this time 10 years ago we were concerned with Y2K as well? :)
Happy New Year
Posted by: busy bee suz | January 01, 2010 at 01:11 PM
ten years ago I had one kid -- and he was just one year old. Hard to believe....
Posted by: Madge | January 01, 2010 at 05:10 PM
Wow! Amazing how much can change in ten years, isn't it?
Ten years ago today, I was only a few weeks' pregnant with my daughter and had a preschool-aged boy.
Now I have a 10-year-old (who will be in middle school in the fall!), and a 14-year-old high schooler. *sigh*
Posted by: Baby Favorite | January 01, 2010 at 05:58 PM
Wow! I loved this!
10 years ago I was nursing my first baby.
Now that little boy is up with a toothache because HIS BRACES HURT!
Posted by: anna see | January 01, 2010 at 10:51 PM
Oh, this is a very cool idea--and it shows how compressed life is...to be in the midst of something, yet it's almost over. Sigh.
Posted by: Jocelyn | January 02, 2010 at 12:25 AM
This whole new decade thing dawned on me the other day...hadn't even realized another was over. 10 years ago...I had an almost-2-year old...and was working in a job I thought I loved (how wrong I was!)I'm still here, which always surprises me, when I think about it. Amazing how time slips by.
Happy 2010 to you Jenn and to you family and all those you hold dear!!
Posted by: Debbie | January 02, 2010 at 09:14 AM
What a difference 10 years make!
Posted by: Tammy | January 02, 2010 at 11:56 AM
I'm relieved your theft was only figurative, and not literal :)
I loved doing this because 10 years sounds like so much less time in books and movies, but in *real* life... MAN a lot changes. Happy new year!!!
Posted by: MissM | January 02, 2010 at 12:25 PM
We have a lot in common with our 10 years in review (it's my Christmas letter with the same husband, same kids theme), although I still have only 1 kid who drives (17yo hasn't yet gotten off his duff) and college is looming as a financial $care on the horizon.
Happy 2010! (And I'm glad the theft was only a blog theft!)
Posted by: kcinnova | January 02, 2010 at 04:39 PM
Cute idea! It's amazing how much life changes in 10 years!
Posted by: Mom Taxi Julie | January 02, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Stumbled upon your blog from......hmmm, can't remember where. Like it! Thanks!
Posted by: Kerry | January 03, 2010 at 08:28 PM
Our ten years ago look very similar!
Posted by: Fannie | January 05, 2010 at 03:05 PM
I like the ten years ago idea!
Posted by: JCK | January 07, 2010 at 11:27 PM