1. Pride - Watching my child grow from a toddler into a young lady. I've witnessed her intellectual development, her emotional development and her social development. She is transitioning into a little person and I have become enraptured with her personality. I see so many traits in her that I hope to have been the cause of...it is the kind of pride that makes your chest expand...the kind of pride only a parent can truly experience and understand fully.
2. Gratitude - I have witnessed so many random acts of kindness this year. People from all walks of life have blessed my life so richly in 2007. Words will never begin to express the overflow of emotion and gratitude I feel in my heart. Late night phone calls from friends and family when they have heard of Piper's latest fight have seen me through. Whether you realize it or not, you have been an immeasurable amount of therapy for me. Your kind words, your love, your prayers...they have all been received with such thankfulness...you have touched my heart in more ways than you will ever know.
3. Faith - I have an amazing circle of friends and family that believe so strongly in the power of the Lord. The biggest gift I have been afforded this year is having been surrounded by such faithful people. I have felt closer to the Lord in 2007 than I have in many, many years. Knowing I can share the overflow in my heart that is God with all of you has been an invaluable gift. The source of my true happiness this year has been my faith...it's the one thing I have in my life that is constant, steady and unshakable...it is the purest form of happiness I have ever known.
4. Belief - In 2007, I decided to take a chance on myself and create what is now known as "Zoombug Photography". It is, without a doubt, the most rewarding thing in my life that I have done to date (in regard to career). Piper still holds first place for greatest reward! More people than I can count have placed such faith in my photography this year. If it weren't for my family and friends who have believed in me, I know in my heart that none of this would have been possible. You have been an invaluable source of growth for me...you may have believed in me, but please know that you are the reason I was able to believe in myself. Your constant love and support has been the cornerstone of this business and I am forever grateful.
5. Fear - not knowing what will happen with Piper's disease. It has been a year of learning to not become consumed by fear...I've learned that it can eat you alive if you let it...it can fog out those moments that you should be cherishing rather than worrying about...most of all it can take the light out of your eyes--creating a deep, sad unhappiness in your soul. I don't like that feeling and in 2008 I hope to extinguish fear anytime I begin to feel its presence.
6. Love - I married the most amazing man in the word on August 21, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. When I look into his eyes, I have never seen myself clearer. We were handpicked by the Lord for one another, of this I am convinced. As a man, he is generous, kindhearted, funny, sensitive, affectionate, supportive and so loving. When I first spoke to him on the phone almost 3 years ago, it was like I was talking to an old friend I had known for years. He just fit so perfectly in our lives...he was the one thing in my life I never knew I needed. He continues to amaze me on a daily basis and though it sounds cliche, I really do fall in love with him more and more everyday. When he comes home, I just light up...you'd never guess we'd been together for 3 years...it's the kind of love that forever feels like we're still dating...I'd never known that before him and it's such an incredible blessing. What is our secret? We just laugh...alot! You'd be amazed what laughing together will do for your relationship...it will make you closer than ever before! Being his wife has been amazing everyday...
Comments