When the year comes to an end, you will wonder where all that time went.
You will swear with every fiber in your being that if felt like just yesterday when this year had started all shiny and new. Yet here you are, 364 days and a thousand or so memories later. And amidst all the celebration and shenanigans, your mind will zip through events of the past year. Some events you will always remember, and some you'll wish could be cast from your mind for all of eternity. A smile will break out on your face as you remember all the good times with friends and loved ones. Tears will fill your eyes as you remember the moments that broke your heart and maybe even a little bit of your spirit. Embarrassing memories you didn't want to recall will bring back a blush and you'll remember those stupid decisions and you'll chuckle.
When the year comes to an end, you'll sigh as you remember the things you carried and the things you will never get back. You'll remember the sleep you lost and the pain you felt, but deep down you know it made you stronger. A mixture of regret and gratefulness will fill your body. You'll look back and see the mistakes, but you'll also see a trail of the things you let go for the better. You will see all the past events and realize you've changed and you'll hope to God it's for the better.
When the year comes to an end, a strange sense of exhaustion will overcome your being as the countdown begins. Everyone will be smiling and laughing and you will feel sad and somewhat empty. Another season has ended and along with it, another chapter of your life. And a part of you will feel old.
But then everyone will cheer. 11:59 will change to 12:00 and even though you've seen the change many times over the last 365 days, this one feels different, it feels special, even a bit magical. You'll look up and see the ball drop, and as that ball drops something within your chest will rise, and you'll realize it's hope. Because despite what happened in the past year, as of a minute ago, that year is now gone. This is the new year. And maybe this year you'll keep all your resolutions; maybe you'll only keep one. But either way, you'll smile. Because when the old year has ended, a new one takes it's place, and with that new year comes a new chapter to write, a new list of mistakes to make, and a new season that will hopefully leave you stronger, wiser, and better than the last one.
And you'll look ahead and feel at peace, because the new year is here and with that new year comes another chance.
