Each year holds its own memories and this past year was no exception. From the first day of 2011, life weaved itself through each month, leaving behind its own signature on each day. From weather extremes and mind boggling catastrophes, social and economic unrest, and the beginning of the 2012 election, this past year was certainly a journey filled with awe, wonder and amazement.

The wild social roller coaster ride of 2011 wasn’t only in our country, but trickled throughout the entire planet. And no matter where you were or your place on the social ladder of life, the world around dramatically underwent a metamorphoses and its affects has undoubtedly touched each of us in some form or another.

While the world around me underwent its own metamorphoses, within my own world it has equally been a wild and interesting journey, truly leaving its own impressions that has caused me to pause, scratch and shake my head. From personal relationships to economic concerns and health issues, 2011 has been a mixed bag of emotions and realities.

First and foremost, surviving 2011 is certainly due to God’s interaction in my life. No matter the circumstances I can honestly say that He has had my back, helping me to navigate through each situation as they arose. Yes, there were times when I questioned him, even hated the outcome. But through it all, the journey was, in itself, a lesson in maturity, insight and understanding.

Next! My friends and family certainly deserves an applause for putting up with me. Sometimes I can sure be a hand full and there is not doubt that I was. Nonetheless, regardless of what I was undergoing I knew that they care for and about me. We may have disagreed, sometimes strongly, but when it was all done and said each one remains special to me in their own special way. Needless to say, my sister, Mary, and my friends Robyn, George and Marsha, hold a very special place in my heart. These four individuals untiring friendship and encouragements I absolutely appreciated during some very dark moments. I just hope that I gave back equally. If not, I ask for your forgiveness and promise to do better.

On a personal level and life altering, last year opened my eyes resulting in having to do some real soul searching. It pushed me to really question the type of trust I place in others and my faith in God. Out of the two very intent realities, the most hurtful was losing my pale, Steven. The most unexpected, being diagnosed with bladder cancer. These two very different journeys has taught me some very valuable lessons. It also forced me to fully understand that sometimes things aren't always what they seem to be, and that, without a doubt, life is a moment to moment gift.

As for losing my pale, Steven, it’s no longer about who said or did what. Instead, it’s about forgiveness and moving on. And the lesson in all this ... learning that sometimes people aren't who they really are and that forgiveness is a process that if daily applied allows your heart to mend and eventually gain victory over the hurt and disappointed. Yes, I was truly hurt and equally disappointed. But the daily act of forgiveness has allowed me the freedom to move beyond this failed association and today I am able to look back and say ... it is what it was.

In my lifetime I’ve had my share of health issues. Some nine years ago I suffered what was termed a “prolonged heart attack”. Unlike the known symptoms, my heart attack didn’t even come close. This attack came on without notice and it was painful. Four years later I went under the knife for a double bypass and came out having undergone a triple bypass. Thankfully, it wasn’t time for my ticket to be punched.

My heart issues certainly caught my attention in that I knew that a life-style change had to be adopted, specially when it came to eating and exercise. Prior to being diagnosed with heart disease I delighted in eating a lot of red meat accompanied with a great deal of starch. Plus, exercising wasn’t part of my daily routine. Since, I’ve curtailed eating a lot of red meat, rice, pasta and drinking whole milk. I tell ya, I sure craved my favorite foods and it took a while for me to adapt, but the changes in diet took hold and frankly I feel a whole lot better physically.

 
2011 brought on a whole new health journey. A full stream of bright red blood landed me in the emergency room. Original diagnoses, kidney stones. A few days later the bleeding stopped and I left it behind thinking that all was well. Six months later while in the shower I noticed splatters of red blood going down the drain. Back to the emergency room and this time, after a cat scan, I was referred to a Urologist … Diagnoses; Bladder Cancer.

Now with the diagnoses of bladder cancer hanging over my head and undergoing chemotherapy, which by the way is REALLY uncomfortable and the side affects EXTREMELY unnerving, I know that another life-style change MUST to be incorporated into my daily life. Without a doubt, I NEED to quit smoking!

Come February it will be one year since I began this journey with cancer and thankfully I am cancer free. I have yet to finish my chemo treatments … I have two more rounds to go before they end and hopefully I will not have to undergo any further treatments.

2011 was a roller coaster ride, both emotionally and physically. Nonetheless, some good came about in my life. I decided to go back to church … I’ve been attending Beach Church which, in the beginning, was totally out of my comfort zone. My church experience has been geared more towards the traditional, but I have to admit that the non-traditional way of worshiping certainly outshines the traditional and has allowed me to draw closer to my Lord. Unfortunately, the traditional church never quite allowed this to happen and eventually I withdrew because the church and its message didn’t allow me to grow and have hope.  Everything about the traditional church was about works and after a while, no matter how much I worked at being a spiritual being, I consistently felt inadequate and unfulfilled. Now, I feel whole. And as long as I keep my eyes on Him, I know that what was broken will eventually be made right.

Not only did I find spiritual peace, I also completed two full years of employment with Kmart. Needless to say, my job has its ups and downs, mainly the lack of hours. The corporation has done away with full-time positions unless you become head of a department. Otherwise, everyone is now considered part-time. Yeah, it sucks! Now it's difficult to depend on a set pay check. Living pay check to pay check and robbing Paul to pay Peter ain’t exactly easy. Nonetheless, for the time being, I’m just happy to be employed, specially during these troubled economic times. Plus, having a great boss to work for makes all the difference in the world.

Now that 2012 is fully underway, I’m looking forward to what is in store. I can only hope that this year will be good to and for me, as well as for each and everyone of you. But above all, I hope that God will grace each of our lives with His presence and that you will be blessed in unimaginable ways.

Until Tomorrow …