A hell of a new year

I don't even know what to say. The peaks and valleys of this up and down year have me nauseous and it's been moving so fast I don't have time to think or react...not to mention settle in and feel at peace.

Overall: I am happy. I am happy, but it's been a challenge. I have been a bit anxious at times and that can be overwhelming. I have also had some very sad times with the recent passing of my Oma. Such a beautiful, wonderful woman...I will miss her terribly. There are really no words and thus I don't know what to say.

On the 6th of February, when I tried to leave Pittsburgh for Portland I was shuffled from plane to plane to plane after record snow storms pushed through the east coast. Flights were rescheduled and eventually flights were canceled.


I look back now and I am so grateful for that dang blizzard. Despite being home for a full month, I didn't get to spend a lot of time with my parents and it was nice to drive around a snowy Pittsburgh amazed at how fast the falling flakes brought the city to a stand still. I even got to see the house that my Oma lived in and visit with old family friends. The same house my mom first came to when my parents were dating in college and she was meeting Oma for the first time.

I have parents who are so willing to do anything if it means supporting us kids. After staying in Pittsburgh all day in hopes that something might open up at that airport we finally got home to Guys Mills around midnight and on 2 hours of sleep my dad drove me 3 hours to Cleveland so I could be on the next flight out and make it to work on time. Selfless. And he's not the only one! Another example: my sister booked me on a flight to Tennessee for my Oma's funeral as her thank you gift to me for my time at home. Unbelievable. That is my family.


My brother is in Florida, my sister and I in Oregon, my Aunt and her boys in Tennessee and my parents in Pennsylvania, but yet we somehow manage to help and support each other despite being so geographically spread out. At 28, I now know how rare that is and I am so eternally grateful. Oma made caring for others her number one priority throughout her entire life and I am proud to know that we have all learned from her and love each other so much.


Despite the grainy quality (my camera is at the doctor's office) these pictures make me think of the emotions that have been running through me so far this year. I wish I had the words to say more, but they just aren't there. Only 3 stand out above all else...love, support, gratitude.

I love you Oma.