Dear 2010,

You were an awful year in so many, many ways. There were lots of times that I wished that you never were. A few times when I wished that I never was either. You brought a lot of bad things with you 2010...pain, anguish, fear, doubt, uncertainty, loss, the end of my marriage and family... Plain and simply put, You Suck 2010!!! You suck suck suck!!!

BUT

You also brought so much good in spite of all that suck. I learned so much from you. 2010, you taught me that I literally have the strength to move mountains. The strength to stand on these two feet, when all I wanted to do was lay down and cry (or something much worse that rhymes with cry).

I discovered that I am abundantly blessed in the friend department. I mean seriously, fabulously, crazy blessed. I have been truly amazed by the outpouring of love and kindness that my children and I have received during your reign 2010. A.M.A.Z.E.D.

2010, you showed me that what I have always believed about my family was positively true. My children, my parents, my sister, my aunts and uncles and my cousins have given me unending, unbelievable, unprecidented love, support, and loyalty. (Even a few of my married-into-family!!) They will probably never know the extent of the impact that their actions have had on my kids and me. We would not be where we are without them...each and every single one.

To be honest, I despise what you have put my children thru and I may never forgive you for that. I know that it isn't really your fault, 2010, but it was still really rotten. I am happy to say that E, N and Z have worn you quite well....so much better than myself. You showed them that they are the most important people on earth to me and that I will do whatever it takes to love them and to provide for them.

But the best thing that you gave me 2010, was you renewed my relationship with God. I have loved my Lord for so many years, but I did not seek Him as I should have for quite some time. February 6, 2010 was the day that I came to Him, broken in a million pieces and He picked me up and started, piece by tiny piece, to put me back together. It has been a hard road. A hard, rocky, winding, back tracking, uphill, blind, high road. I am so beyond thankful that God is carrying my map and He is the One guiding me. I am no longer scared. I don't doubt. I know that I have a long way to go to be healed...I know that I will never be completely healed, but I know that Christ has a plan for me and it doesn't involve intentional heartache and pain. He has provided us with more blessings than I could have ever imagined.

So, as much as it pains me to say, Thank You 2010. Thank you for not being a complete waste of time...thank you for growing me into the strong, independent person that I am today. I am a better mom because of you. I am a better ME because of you.

Sincerely,


Kara

P.S. 2011, You don't have to reach very high to out do 2010. BUT...I have big plans for you, so you'd better get yourself together and get ready...