You might get a little depressed this New Year’s Eve if you read Rick Hampson’s article “The Decade that Left a Mark on U.S. History” in the USA Today. He reminds us of all the mileposts we overlooked in the decade 2000-2009 but yet are so visible in hindsight. Unemployment, political debacles, 9/11, war, failure of big business, and personal scandal. Other than a polite tribute to the invention of new technologies and the rise of social media applications to ease our conscious, I read nothing even vaguely mimicking fond memories or anything that compels me to belt out Auld Lang Syne.
Hampson tells no lies, and his point that the pace of change in this decade rivals no other is right on the money. But in spite of all the ugliness in world, the obstacles I encountered that could have set me back, I do have some fond memories of the last decade. Surely you do, too? Let’s forget the bad ones just for a bit. Here are 10 of my personal favorites. If you are reading this on Facebook, please share it as a note and list 10 of your own. If you are reading this blog post, please comment with at least one positive memory and more if you care to share.
Melissa’s Top Ten Fond Memories of the Decade
- I turned 30 (early in the decade!) and finally took the time to get to know my own self.
- I married my soul mate and got a fantastic stepson in the package deal.
- We were blessed with two beautiful daughters.
- I got the career promotion with the salary that I always dreamed would change my life.
- Then later got laid off for the first time in my career and took what some of my former colleagues saw as a demotion that really did change my life for the better.
- I bought my first house, and my husband and I worked really hard to make it our first home.
- I moved five times and finally made it back to my home state of Virginia.
- I helped organize my 20 year high school reunion and had a wonderful time with old friends.
- I traveled to Hawaii twice.
- I recommitted my beliefs of Christianity and found the hope and strength I needed to get me through 2000-2009 with an attitude that life just keeps getting better, no matter what a single decade may hold.
