The Year of the Concert

2022. Well, you were better than 2021. I barely remember 2021 it was so full of trauma and grief. It truly had no where to go but up.

There were milestones, good ones.

We had a high school graduation.

Then a wedding.

Our kids are adults now. The younger set I gave birth to are now out in the real world teaching at the school they graduated from or are in college killing it.

When I think of 2022, one theme comes up.

Concerts.

I’m not really a concert person. As an introvert, packing me into a venue full of people and then releasing us all at once to drive out limited places with no boundaries isn’t fun for me. But I couldn’t resist when I saw Scotty McCreery was going to be 30 minutes away. So I went, and it was great. Amazing seats.

Then our daughter recalled my promise where I said if Big Time Rush ever went on tour and played nearby, I’d take her. The show was over, they were doing their own thing. I figured never would it happen. Until they announced their reunion tour and played nearby. We went, and it was honestly amazing. Great seats. The best pictures I probably took all year. To watch her light up, I could relate. I loved a boy band back in the day.

Then I was gifted tickets to Elton John. It was a bittersweet thing because I wanted to see the person with the tickets as we were going to meet that weekend. I was able to go with my sister, one of my BFF’s from college, and my nephew, his first concert. Not too shabby to see a legend like Sir Elton. It was a wonderful experience because I knew I was watching history.

I also released a book this year. I wish I were an author that could crank out multiple books a year, but clearly that’s not God’s plan for me. As long as Anchored Hearts took, I am so proud of that book. It’s the first in a new series about sextuplets as they find their own identity and try to find a love like their parents shared. Jordyn’s story in Anchored Hearts was about surrendering control. When I tell you the author goes on the journey first, boy is that true. I nearly broke as I tried to keep control over the last two years. My grief, trauma and healing poured into Anchored Hearts. If you haven’t checked it out, I hope you do.

2022 was also about curly hair and growing it out. Saying goodbye to Ginger the cat and hello to Milo the beagle. There was working in teen ministry and attending a rage room with dear friends. There was a trip with my husband where we traveled to the Thousand Islands and to the Adirondack Mountains as a belated 25th anniversary.

I can’t say the year was full of laughter, but it wasn’t teary. A lot of asking God why, and when. I am a justice girl and there is so much injustice going on globally. It really bothers me and I believe we are at the cusp of an awakening where consequences come and the righteous rise up.

That’s 2022 to me.

How about you?