Dear 2016,

Honestly, you weren't the best of years. I think a lot of people would agree with me when I say that we came into 2016 strong and hopeful for better days, and are currently crawling to the finish line with no intentions of looking back.

In reality, 2016 has felt like falling down the stairs, getting up reluctantly, and then tripping on something again.

To some, you were a piece of absolute trash.

There were some terrible things that happened to humanity, and that's not necessarily all your fault. Really, it's ours.

People died, suffered, and experienced extreme prejudice. People were poor, beaten, alone, cold, hungry, or just hopeless sometimes.

Our country was torn apart by an election that will not only change the United States, but also the entire world.

Countries were plagued with war and bloodshed because of differences in religion, sexual orientation, or just the evil desire to inflict pain.

Everywhere we turned, there were more occurrences that made us cringe, but that's really because as people, we are inherently confused and always looking for something better.

Sometimes, this desire to avoid pain gets us into big trouble, therefore looking for someone to blame, and that's usually you.

But the truth is, we're in the year 2016. Many people, including myself, would have hoped that we would have these issues solved by now. We shouldn't be taking steps backwards anymore.

Believe me, I don't like to be negative. I really like to try and find the good things in everything and everyone, even when it seems impossible. So, I have seen the good pieces of you, 2016.

Giant pandas are no longer endangered, Wonder Balls are back, there have been significant medical advancements, a spacecraft reached Jupiter, and some people out there survived cancer and other deadly diseases and will see another year that wasn't previously promised.

While some of these things may seem silly or minuscule, they lit up the darkness that surrounded the world for a few minutes.

You have given me a lot of things, especially new people and opportunities I didn't have in previous years.

I have met special people this year that have made me into a bigger and better person, and the significant impact they've had on my life crosses my mind every day. Without you, I wouldn't know them.

I am older now, so I have opportunities to work with people and do things I wouldn't have been able to do in the past. Without you, I wouldn't have those chances.

While there have been terrible things this year, some of those events have sparked feelings of persistence, nationalism, or a thirst for justice. Even with all those mistakes, we wouldn't have any of this without you.

I have found a voice in myself, in others, and in the places that truly spoke to me.

I have felt the pain of missing someone, I have felt the sting of failure. I have looked in front of me and saw only darkness and sadness. But here we are, in the last week of 2016, and we are alive.

Some people didn't make it this far either, unfortunately.

So, while there are billions of people who may hate you, or want to kick your things into the middle of the street, I do know suffering is part of life. Though terrible things happen every day, there is hope that one day, we will overcome all the hatred and bloodshed, even if that seems unrealistic sometimes.

2016, I do bid you farewell. I do wish that some things hadn't happened or were different, but that's life, and we must go on.

Goodbye and good luck, 2016. You may or may not be missed.

Sincerely,

A normal person hoping for a fresh start