Into 2010.

Wow. 2009 is nearly over. Hours from now it will be 2010. That sounds so much more WAY into the future than 2009 did, doesn’t it? I mean, entire MOVIES have been made about the year 2010.

This is the time of year that the commercials on television shift in focus to weight loss and cessation of smoking aids, exercise equipment and other self-help products. (As if we need an hourly reminder of our vices.) We’re supposed to use this time of year to take stock of our faults and to make promises to ourselves about how we’re going to change over the coming year, when really, very few people are capable of real CHANGE.

I’ve written before about new year’s resolutions, saying back in 2007, “If you aren’t willing to work on changing or improving yourself the whole year round, what’s the point of making list of unachievable, unrealistic statements about how you’re going to change that year, especially if no one is making you accountable for reaching or not reaching those goals?”

I still feel that way. So I’m not going to write a list of things I want to change about myself. Instead, today I’m going to write a list of things I LIKE about myself.

I’ve become a mom! And I’m not too shabby at being Nate’s mother, either. I think it’s okay to say that. Just like it’s okay to admit that being a mother is damn hard work, I’m a firm believer that it’s okay to admit that it’s a job I do well. Even if it’s still only my second month on the job.

I’m proud of the team that Graham and I are now that we are parents. Sure, there are times when I see Graham doing something with Nate that I wouldn’t do, or that I would do differently, but it’s not my place to tell him how to be a father. The two of them need to find their own way together and they are running ahead in that department. Leaping ahead, in fact. I can’t wait to see how their relationship grows as Nate gets older.

We have great relationships with our extended families, and we are making sure that Nate has access to those relationships, too. My mom is planning to move back to Ontario from Alberta this year. It’s so important for Nate to know ALL of his grandparents. He’s really lucky to have so many people who already know and love him and want to watch him grow.

Graham and I have continued to work at creating a home that we are proud of, a place of peace and comfort where we enjoy spending time together as a family, and where we are happy to have friends and family come to visit.

I’m working on continuing to cherish my older friendships and cultivate newer ones. You can’t underestimate the value of friends. Having a great support system around us these past months has proven to be so valuable, not to mention fun.

I’m so happy that I will have this whole coming year off from my job to spend with Nate and figure out how to balance motherhood with the rest of my obligations.

So, there it is. A list I can look back at and see just how blessed we really are. 2009 has thrown some challenges our way, but mostly it’s been damn good to us. I have no doubt that 2010 will be just as wonderful.

Have a safe and happy new year’s eve!

Tags: 2010, new year, resolutions