I am naming 2016 'The Year Of The Rollercoaster'.
It was a year of incredible highs and devastating lows for me. It seemed to go from one extreme to the other. And back again.
It was a year of hard losses and a year of happy gains. Thankfully the good outweighed the bad.
January - Paige suffered a debilitating injury in Vietnam, shattering her ankle and lower leg in a canyoning accident. She flew home to multiple surgeries and a very long and painful recovery period.
March - Our eldest daughter Molly married Jordan, the man of her dreams. They eloped in New Hampshire, USA on Saint Patrick's Day.
April - Joe and I celebrated 30 years of wedded bliss.
July - We exchanged homes with a wonderful family from Stockholm. Sweden is a beautiful country filled with incredibly friendly people, gorgeous countryside and stunning coastlines.
August - At the end of our exchange, we spent some time in Krakow, Poland before flying back to Canada. Krakow is home to beautiful people, delicious food, captivating history and gorgeous architecture.
August - Along with family and friends, the Akselrads and Sothams gathered together in our backyard to celebrate Molly and Jordan's spring wedding.
August - After spending the summer in hospital, my mother passed away. This final photo was taken with her twin brother the day before she died. Right to the end, Margaret had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. My sisters, my daughter Paige and I felt very privileged to be with her on the day she left this earth.
September - After a long year of being built, Joe's wood-fired pizza oven was finally finished!
October - The sweetest little girl graced the world with her presence. My grand-daughter Josephine was born.
November - Our entire family flew to Toronto to celebrate an early Christmas and Hanukkah. It was a fun-filled week of extreme mirth and merriment.
December - Any loss is keenly felt during the holidays. I sure missed my mom this Christmas.
December - Molly, Jordan and Josephine moved to their permanent home in Boston, Massachusetts. This happy event was tinged with sadness for me. Having my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter live 5,000 kilometres away is going to be an adjustment for this grandma. Thank goodness for Skype and Facetime!
Happy New Year! I am looking forward to many things in 2017. Being surrounded by the fine folks in this photo, Paige's ongoing return to health, visits with the Akselrads both here and in Boston, retirement and more travels with Joe. I wish each and every one of you good health and happiness in the year ahead.
