(almost) Another Year Older

Today is the day before my 32nd birthday. Thirty-Two years alive in this world and I sit down to try to actively think about what I've done in the last year, what I've accomplished to keep my mind from being overwhelmed by what I haven't done: marriage and kids.

When I was a kid, it snowed every single year on my birthday until I moved to Charlotte almost 9 years ago. Now this year, well it's the day before, but in Charlotte that's close enough to count I wake up to the below. So many of my birthday parties were cancelled or changed when I was a kid because of a giant snowstorm.

But anyway, back to the things I've accomplished this past year.

• I became a godmother, again, to a young woman who came into the Church through RCIA with her father. At 17 she was baptized and confirmed at the Easter Vigil.
• I was promoted at work. Twice. I've been given the opportunity to develop a new product offering and am going to spend the next year implementing it at a parish just 45 minutes from me. My job has also been completely redefined to suit me specifically. I feel so privileged that they see me as a valuable employee they don't want to lose.
• I went to Poland and saw Pope Francis with a group of 12 pilgrims. It was a delight.
• I've read at least 40 books.
• I completely redesigned my parish's website and keep it up.
• I've done yoga every day since Thanksgiving.
• I've attended Daily Mass as many weekdays a week as possible.
• I painted my kitchen cabinets by myself.
• I created a proposal at work to implement a Digital Communication Strategy across an entire Diocese.
• I had a hard discussion with a friend in order to save our friendship which has become even closer now.
• I spent a week with at a friend's when she brought home her newborn baby boy to help and serve her and her husband during that difficult adjustment time.
• I went to California to see a woman who I haven't talk to in years to learn about her story of redemption as she prepared to meet her new baby girl.
• I prayed the Rosary daily as a devotion to Mary as requested at Fatima.
• I worked on our young adult group at Church to establish a regular pattern of meetings and grow a community that can serve as a place for young people to grow.
• I went to a concert I've been wanting to attend for a long time. Took the vacation and just went.
• I attended my godmother's 50th wedding anniversary in Texas.
• I renewed my consecration to Jesus through Mary.
• I spoke to a national audience at a work conference, twice - and many other times at regional days.
• I attended my grandmother's funeral.
• I was the maid of honor at my best friend's wedding.
• I paid off one of my student loans - only one remains.
• I started volunteering again with youth ministry as a way to give my talents back to the Church.

I'm sure there are more - but that list is much longer than the things I didn't do this year: get married and have kids. Although that is still what I desire, I need to remember that my life is important and matters whether these two things happen or not. I am important and matter whether I get married or remain single for the rest of my days.