Each year, during the last week of December I conduct an inventory of what's happened during the year. Sometimes I've written about goal-setting, other times I've posted photos taken throughout the year. This ritual was usually for my own enjoyment than anything else, though some people have found my efforts interesting.
I'm not planning on doing anything for 2008 because, quite frankly, I have no recollection of last winter or early spring. Maybe it's due to my old age, (though I'm not that old), or the amount of health food I've ingested this year. Everything before May has been erased from my head.
I first realized that I didn't remember anything while reading an annual recap of General Hospital. Through reading that "Year in Review" I discovered that I had watched General Hospital religiously... But when? I remembered the events they described in their summary. Then I realized that it was *this year* that I had watched General Hospital. But it seemed so long ago.
What else happened? Did I have other interests? I seem to recall something about 1968. I *do* remember 1968... But wait. I wasn't alive back then.
My new husband will be pleased to know that I remember getting married. And I even remember his name, though I didn't change mine to match his. I can recall our honeymoon and shortly afterward, doctors telling Dad that he had incurable liver cancer. Who can forget that Dad died in November? Not me.
I also remember writing a few things about the economy, and wondering why others weren't grasping the intensity of what was about to happen to our country. I am pleased to report that I paid off one credit card in 2008 and I have one more to go. Progress. Thank you Dave Ramsey.
I didn't keep track of the amount of books I read, but I do know that I had 45 book reviews published during 2008. Some of those books were memorable and some I've tried to forget. I didn't keep track of the amount of authors who wrote me to respond to their reviews. A handful of them did, I suppose. The only correspondence I can vividly recall is the one where the author tried to start an argument with me, despite getting a good review.
Sometimes it's better not to say anything at all.
That is what I'm telling myself about 2008... Some things are better left alone. Almost everyone I know would rather leave 2008 behind, un-recapped. As for me... I didn't get laid off from my job or go bankrupt. But in gaining a husband and losing a parent, I figured out that all the ego-driven dribble that I had previously thought was important truly wasn't. Progress should be measured in how much of myself I am becoming, rather than how much I can impress you.
It's a trite idea. Some might call it unsophisticated or unintellectual. Fuck them.
Laura -- So long since I've commented. I'm sorry about your father -- my mother died of liver cancer when I was 20, so I know somewhat what you've gone through. It's funny -- I can't remember big chunks of my life, either. Like most of my childhood, for instance...
Posted by: Scott Walters | January 16, 2009 at 02:48 PM