The Rough Parts of 2016

2016 was quite important for our family. We moved to a new (rental) house -a real house, with stairs and a “garden”, which is actually a small front yard, that left Léo in awe for a good month! Leo started Kindergarten at our neighborhood public school -no more French school, which made me a bit sad- and Jude entered a new daycare at the end of the summer. We’re able to walk to both schools and enjoy our friendly neighbors. We spend a lot of time with family as we live about 20 minutes from every one of Joe’s core family members. I really love where we live!

On a personal level, the year has been good but tough in 2 areas: I turned 36 and the November presidential elections left me reeling and depressed for weeks.

Turning 36 has been harder than I thought it would be. When I was just about to turn 12 my dad died at almost 36. When you’re 12, 36 seemed like a big ol’ age and even though everybody said he died “so young” I thought it was old, period. Because of that I have always thought that 35-36 was it -an appropriate age to die. So now I’m 36 and it’s been so hard to imagine the future, to make plans, to be excited about anything because… I don’t really know how to explain this but 36 feels like the end. My brain knows that 36 is young indeed but my heart hasn’t quite caught on to that yet. So I’m left in this weird space between what I know and what I feel. I’m working on it, developing small goals for myself to prove that hey, 36 (and beyond) is a good age!

And the second thing… November and Hillary Clinton’s loss… I felt sad and sick and furious and dumbfounded. I was part of the liberal bubble who frankly didn’t see that coming. I was expecting to celebrate until about 8 PM when I understood that the man who had insulted every single minority population and had flaunted his brash ignorance of facts had won the election. What a disastrous moment that was. Like many people, I cried. But, like many people, I vowed that instead of posting rants and memes on Facebook, I would do something. I have become an active member in 2 social justice groups I had joined before the election and I will be a strong ally to ensure that human rights are not taken away, whether we’re talking about marriage, reproductive health or religious freedom. Now is the time to advocate and let our voices be heard. Now is not the time to normalize the rejection of the “other.” The next four years might be tough -will be tough- but we can be united to show love, compassion, and active solidarity with those who fear for their very lives and liberties.

What about you? What are the main events that shaped how you felt and acted this past year -good or bad?