One year ago today, I declared an ambitious goal to publish 52 “weekly reflections” in 2019.
I was clear on WHY I wanted to do it. In a practical sense, my goal intended to create a system of accountability to routinely practice writing. In a purposeful sense, my goal intended to share joy, meaning, and growth with the people in my life on a weekly basis.
I also had a general idea of WHAT I wanted to accomplish with the blog. Each week, I planned to capture the memories I was experiencing, or share the lessons I was learning in a fun post on social media for whoever was interested in reading (unintentionally my primary demographic became women in their 50s).
Regarding HOW I planned to find the time to do it…well…I had no clue. I didn’t know when I would find the time or mental energy to write something worth sharing each week. Amidst the job, the MBA classes, the CFP studies, the housework, the parenting, the busy social schedule, and the Sunday hangovers, it was a weekly challenge and often an obligation.
But with all of these things going on, and each week spilling into the next, a special year of my life could’ve flown by in a blur without taking stock in what it all meant. Now, with 52 weeks of content to skim through, and far more words and ideas that were written but never got published, I get to relive the memories and the emotions that I felt throughout the year. And in a bonus reflection, I want to share some of 2019’s best sounds and sights with you one last time.
When I think of 2019, I hear the following sounds: Hakuna Matata sung on a Broadway stage. The crackling of a homemade fire. The 2 am piercing cry from a swaddled burrito in a bassinet. The 6 am bounce of a basketball and relentless banter at Morning Hoops. The slapping of wooden sticks and crisp “tsssk-Pop” of a Miller Lite can echoing off of the frozen pond. The heartwarming giggle of a baby’s first laugh. A CFP review podcast teaching me about life insurance or social security or estate planning while walking Charlie in the warm Florida sun.
I hear the announcement that Jordan qualified for “Inner Circle.” 30 dudes singing “Old Town Road” at Tootsies during the ultimate Nashville Bachelor Party. A Viennese orchestra playing Mozart at the Kursalon. A curious “cooing” sound through the monitor speakers as a little girl starts her day and tries to make sense of her new world. The pop of a tennis ball machine and the metallic “clang” of a bad mis-hit as I attempt to get my game back on track. A baby splashing around and subsequently melting down in the waves of Margate and Sea Isle for the first time. A chorus of our friends singing “Piano Man” to conclude each epic wedding night.
I hear Father Joel confirming Brigitte and I as Leila’s Godparents. Cats whining and scratching the couch at 4 in the morning…wait, maybe not. The infectious melody of “Baby Shark Doo-doo-doo-doo” and Charlie’s other favorite songs. My final staff meeting as a leader in Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services and my first few shaky sales calls to Registered Investment Advisors in my new role. The intimate and thoughtful personalized vows shared by our favorite couples at the altar. The sound of wine pouring in the glass or popcorn popping in the microwave once Charlie goes to sleep. Charlie giggling on the swings at the park or babbling from the stroller on the street. A room filled with friends and family singing Happy Birthday to the best thing in my life. Conversations with old friends at a 10 year reunion. That beautiful sound when a baby’s cry goes silent and becomes a soft, peaceful snore. The conversation on Thanksgiving night about what everyone is truly grateful for. Jordan practicing piano in the other room. Leila and Charlie screaming on Santa’s lap. Wrapping paper crumpling on Christmas morning or caroling with Uncle Joe or bartering with family in the White Elephant arena. A solo cup flipping and a champagne cork popping on New Year’s Eve. And finally, my daughter saying, “I luh yew, Dada” for the first time.
And when I think of 2019, I saw the following things: A newborn baby turn into a little girl with her own hilarious, adorable, and stubborn personality. Jordan carrying Debbie Bonder’s torch, and becoming a world class mother and hostess. Four seasons transitioning through our kitchen bay window each morning as we sipped on coffee and Charlie chomped on Cheerios. My parents becoming our go-to couple. My friends experiencing some special life changes and significant milestones with new marriages and new houses and new babies on the way, but despite all of the change, staying as close as ever. Loved ones going through serious challenges and difficult circumstances, but never wavering in what truly matters. A little girl doing an excited stutter step whenever I’d walk into her room in the morning, or hurdle over her friends to greet me at the door when I picked her up from daycare. The joy of bath time. My wife keeping my heart full and this house running on a daily basis. Enchanting castles in Austria. My one sister raising a child while the other one built a life in LA. CFP letters added to my name. A mentor committing 110% to my personal development. And finally, I saw myself grow from a kid that’s having a kid to a guy named “Dad.”
I might have heard these sounds in 2019 without a blog, but the reflection helped me listen. And I might have seen these things in 2019 without the weekly posts, but the reflection opened my eyes. The reflection allowed me to grasp how the little things connect to the big things and how important those big things really are. As Ferris Bueller says, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” I may never and probably will never have another year like 2019, so I’m glad I captured almost every part of it. And I’m grateful that you were along for the journey.
So as we head into 2020, I can’t just stop the reflection cold turkey. The sights and sounds are just too damn good. However, to sustain the quality and my sanity (well actually Jordan’s sanity), I’ll be switching the frequency to monthly. 12 is more manageable than 52.
So cheers to another year of joy, meaning, and growth. Can’t wait to see what 2020 holds for all of us.
The Janiec Reflection 