2014: A Year in Review

Wow. And I thought 2014 was set up to be a pretty great year. In many ways it was, and in many ways it wasn't. Michael and I struggled in 2014. I'm not gonna lie, but we made it through, so I am dedicating this post to us. Michael has come to terms with who he really is, I have decided to stick around for another 25 years, because I kind of love him.

As it turns out, we traveled A LOT in 2014. Here is our journey, in review:

Below photo: Multnomah Falls, January 2014.

Michael travled a couple times for business in January, we welcomed a Japanese guest and took him to Multnomah Falls for the day, and it was chilly, but beautiful as always. At the end of the month, we traveled to Silicon Valley on business and to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday.

Above Photo: A romantic dinner on the beach at the Four Seasons

Resort Hualalai.

In February, we headed off to Hawaii to scout a location for our 2014 corporate retreat. We also welcomed new friends to town and I reconnected with an old friend, a coworker from my first real job over 31 years ago. Once again, thank you Facebook.

Above photo: Dude Ranch, Wickenburg Arizona

In March, we headed to a Dude Ranch in Arizona where we went horse backing for the first time in nearly 15 years, ouch, and then visited friends in Paradise Valley. At the end of the month, we headed to Miami for the Sony Open Tennis Tournament and then boarded a cruise ship bound for the Panama Canal.

Above photo: Panama Canal Cruise

In April, our cruise ship stopped in Cartagena Colombia, Colon Panama, cruised the Panama Canal, visited Costa Rica, Guatemala, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas before docking in San Diego. We loved it!

Above photo: Joey's graduation celebration with Grammy, Grampy, and Sammy

Mid May, we traveled to Los Angeles for my 51st birthday, then later in the month we headed to Cleveland, and Oberlin College for Joey's Graduation. He graduated with high honors and it was a gorgeous day for such a special celebration.

Above photo: Butterfly Beach, Montecito, Santa Barbara California

At the beginning of June, we got a visit from Joey in Portland before he headed off to study in Himeji Japan. We also spent some time in the beautiful resort town of Ojai California, then we visited one of our favorite spots, The Biltmore Four Seasons in Santa Barbara.

Above photo: 25th wedding anniversary at Stephanie Inn

In July, we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in Cannon Beach, Oregon.

Above photo: walking the dogs in Sunriver

In August, we got another visit from Joey (and Becca) and we all headed to Sunriver for the annual Godsey family retreat.

Above photo: Atlanta

In September, we started the month in Montreal visiting Joey and Becca for Joey's 23rd birthday. We were home briefly and then headed back east for a business/leisure trip that included Atlanta, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York City.

Above photo: Big Sur, Esalen Institute

In October, we went on a "25th anniversary" road trip from Portland to Bandon, Oregon and then to the Central California Coast, where we stayed at Heritage House bed & breakfast. We spent our 1st anniversary there summer 1990. We also spent one night at the Esalen Institute (it was supposed to be two) and then Michael got sick and spent four scary and painful nights at a hospital in Silicon Valley. We headed home to good news, no surgery. We celebrated Michael's 51st birthday, and Sammy's BIG #21.

Above photo: a watercolor profile of Bernie

In November, as it turns out, I did not take any photos of me or Michael, but I did discover a really cool phone app that turns any photo into a watercolor. Cool! We stayed home all month except for one short business trip for Michael. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Meriwether's Restaurant because no one wanted to do the cooking. It was a great meal, and we were home early and no clean up!

Above: Lubitz family photo, Kumukea Beach, Hawaii

In December, we spent a great week at the Four Seasons Hualalai with our staff and then a wonderful few days at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. At the end of the month, we went to Las Vegas to prepare for Sammy's 21st birthday party celebration.

In the end, we had a fantastic year of traveling and bonding and repairing and renewing and I am grateful for 2015!

On this day... I am thankful

I give thanks for the following things (and many others I am forgetting, that will probably show up on next year's list):

*  I am thankful for this gorgeous tree that lives in my front yard and I am thankful

   that I have the blessing of eyesight so that I can see it, in every season, in all its

   glory (and a wonderful camera that captures it so beautifully), and for the pleasure

   of breathing in the fresh Autumn air.

*  I am thankful for a family that loves me. Not just that they do, love me, but that

   I KNOW they do.

*  I am thankful for all the things that bring laughter into my life.

*  I am thankful that I have been blessed with two amazing children, and an amazing

   "work-in-progress" life partner.

*  I am thankful that I wake up every morning in a free country, and for Internet!

*  I am thankful for the choices I am able to make about my life, and my body, and

   my health, every day.

*  I am thankful that I have food, clothing and shelter, and that I can share my wealth

   so that others have the same.

*  I am thankful that after nine years, and a very painful process, my brother and sister

   in law have the baby of their dreams.

*  I am thankful that I get to travel the world and experience the beauty of

   other cultures.

*  I am thankful for the support of good, kind, thoughtful, understanding friends

   who don't judge.

*  I am thankful that I can learn from past behavior, and do better the next time.

*  I am thankful for rainbows, and sunshine, and mountains, and rivers, and sunsets,

   and beaches, and the ocean.

*  I am thankful that I respected my own needs over the needs of others and chose

   not to make Thanksgiving dinner today.

The Storm

When you come out of the storm

you won't be the same person that walked in.

That's what the storm is all about.

-Haruki Murakami

In January of this year, I walked into a storm. I am still trying to find my way out. Along the way, I am learning a few things about myself and life, and I am daily reminded of some things I already knew.

1)    In many ways I am weak. I thought I was strong.

2)    In many ways I am strong. I thought I was weak.

3)    Being a good partner is not about trying to change a person to meet your expectations. Being a good partner is about accepting people, believing in them, and being there for them.

4)    Some things when broken, can never be repaired or replaced.

5)    True happiness most definitely comes from within. Other people and things cannot make me happy. I am responsible for my own happiness.

6)    I need to be present in my life, every day. No excuses.

7)    My mental health is as important as my physical health.

8)    I can feel abject fear and disappointment and still go on.

9)    I have an unlimited capacity to love people, even people who have wronged me.

10)  I am a survivor.