While 2016 definitely had its ups and downs, I decided it was one of the best for me. I achieved many things, crossed items off my bucket list, and am happier and more confident than I have been in a long time.
It all started when I moved into my mom’s house. I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy which causes my muscles to be extremely weak, and I need physical care throughout the day. Every day someone has to help me get in and out of bed, get dressed and get showered. Once I am in my chair and things are in reach, I’m good to go for the day. But since my mom was the only one helping me, and she works, things were tricky for a while. In March, I was set up with a home health care agency and started having an aid come out on days when my mom worked. This was just the beginning of a positive chain of events.
From May to August several incredible things happened. In May, I attended a mini family reunion. It was great seeing family I hadn’t seen in years. I wore a dress for the first time since my prom more than a decade ago, and I actually felt pretty. After posting a picture on Instagram and Facebook, I received several compliments and likes. My self-confidence has always been a weakness so this was a big moment for me.
I also traveled six hours with my mom and aunt to Nashville, Tennessee, to see Tom Petty’s original band Mudcrutch. Never having been to Nashville, I fell in love with the beautiful city. In June, I turned 25 and had a great birthday. In July and August, I went to four more concerts. During one concert, my sister and I met one of our favorite bands.
I also went to the zoo and brought the little girl I babysit. She had never been before, and it was a blast seeing her react to the different animals! I also attended the beautiful wedding of two friends. After the wedding, while driving through downtown Indianapolis with the windows down, I blared the song "Midnight City" by M83 at midnight. I was able to cross that off my bucket list.
Oh, did I mention I also started going back to school? For over a year I debated if and where I wanted to go back to school. I could not decide whether I want to reapply to the university I had attended before or if I wanted to start fresh somewhere else. On a whim, I requested more information about the forensic psychology program from Southern New Hampshire University. Less than a month later I started my first online course. I have already become an officer in two online clubs and made many friends. Most importantly, I kept up my grades and have a 4.0 GPA, something I never would have dreamed possible at my old school.
Last year was an incredible journey. Every day I wrote something happy or positive that happened in a journal. Through journaling I saw how blessed my life was. This year, I want to continue doing well in school and keep involved in clubs. I’ve never been one to really make, or keep, resolutions, but if I had to this year it would be to try my hardest and to continue being happy and proud of myself. 2016 was truly life changing. Here's to 2017 being even more spectacular!
