2013, the year of twerking, Government shutdowns, Grumpy Cat, The Boston Marathon Bombing, the finale of Dexter and the death of a revered pioneer, Nelson Mandela.  Those are just some of the lighthearted and heavyhearted events that took place.  A year that for me was like no other, despite the breaking news of pop culture, politics and world news.

The year 2k13 began with a bang.  I rang in the New Year with my nearest and dearest and resolved as the clock struck midnight, that this year would be unlike any other.  It was an innate premonition that the Near Year would bring forth a cloudy wake, with unfamiliarity as to what the next 12 months would encompass.  Little did I know that mid-way through the year my life would forever be changed and the person that I was when the clock struck midnight on January 1^st, 2013, would be a stranger when we were met with the middle of the year.  2013 has definitely proved to be one for the books.  Here are some of the highlights of my year…

January: 

✔ Rang in the New Year with the best of company.

February: 

✔ Advised that our Loft was being sold by the owner, forcing us to look for a new loft/condo in the Downtown Phoenix Area.

OLD PLACE:

NEW PLACE:

March: 

✔ Unsuccessful pregnancy…but it all makes sense now.

April: 

✔A rejuvenating road trip with my love to Silver Lake, CA; where we fell in love with the village-esque town and had the time of our life, as well as Salvation Mountain.

May: 

✔ Launched my Interior Design Business, Impact Interiors, PHX

June: 

✔ Celebrated my beloved Nan’s 71st Birthday.  

✔ The start of my health problems…

July: 

✔ Found out I had Stage IV  Colon Cancer.  Underwent two major surgeries within the same day, spent ungodly amounts of time in the Hospital and accepted that my life would never be the same.

August: 

✔ Chopped off all of my hair

✔ Began IVF to preserve our family (epic fail). 

✔ Port Surgery  

✔ Began Chemo

✔ Attended my best friend’s wedding.

September:  

✔  Purchased my Vespa!

✔ Got a new tattoo

✔  (((Blur)))  Chemo…

October: 

✔ Had some humiliating times, whilst in public due to chemo side effects…(((ahem))) Halloween.

✔ Moved into our new condo at Portland Place

✔ Became a Published picture taker in the book “Saturday’s in Silverlake”

November:

✔ Turned 28 and enjoyed every second of the idea of growing older, wiser and being alive. 

✔ Attended the Undy 5000 for Colon Cancer and was joined by my family and friends.

December: 

✔ Realized it’s been a hell of a year, but blessed with family and friends and lucky to be alive to see 2014…

Synopsis:  Times have been tough, but through the experience of going through cancer, I have grown as a person.  There have been some losses along the way, friends, family members, supporters.  Some things taken away, such as normalcy, the idea that I may not be able to have a baby, the notion that I am not invincible and cancer/chemotherapy will forever be a part of my life and most of all the loss of feeling carefree, young and exempt from the evils of illness.  With all of the hardship has also birthed many blessings, I’ve gained some friends along the way, grew closer to my family, adopted the rational that life is not perfect and ultimately everything happens the way it was meant to happen.  The blue print of my life included getting cancer, I may not know the reason why, but through this journey and what a journey it has been, I have realized the person I was meant to be, the person I want to be and the biggest marvel of it all is that I have a voice; a platform to share my journey with so many people.

After a year like 2013, I truly believe that anything is capable of happening.  Never in a million years would I have expected to conclude 2013 in such a way.  My wish for this New Year, 2014 is to begin it with smiles on our faces, approach the year with the belief of a fresh start and new beginnings.  Just like any other year, there will be bumps along the way, but possess the bumps with stride and remember that this too shall pass.  Relish in the small victories and don’t sweat the tiny trifling’s.  Love with all you have and treat each day as a gift to which you contribute all you have to give.  Spread cheer with the spirit of giving and most of all, I wish you a happy, healthy 2014, along with ample reasons to celebrate your life and being alive.  Cheers to 2014, my friends!

Love,

Britt x