A Wide Ring in the Tree or Recap of The Year of the Snake

1 sec/day 2025

There have been other big years in my life, but all others pale in comparison to this year.

1983: my uncle passed away; my house burned down; our dog was killed
1988: moved across the country (again); changed schools (English to French, private to public); Gretzky was traded from the Oilers
1994: parents separated; graduated high school; moved across the country; started university
2000: got married; totalled my car; graduated from university; moved to the city; began working full time
2005: firstborn child; moved to Guatemala; paid off student loans
2008: moved back to Canada; bought my first home; returned to teaching (to begin 17 straight years)
2020: COVID-19 lockdowns; broke my first bone
2025:
- my father passed away;
- my daughter had major surgery;
- Canada continues to be threatened by the US
- Amber and I both quit our jobs;
- sold both our condos in Calgary
- totalled my car
- moved across the country (again)
- celebrated 25 years of marriage
- youngest graduated and we became empty nesters
- took a trip to Europe
- saw two of my favourite musical artists perform live
- got reading glasses
- bought 4 vehicles
- began work in a different school division/system
- multiple retreats – therapy, gaming, cinema
- cohousing community folded
- became a hobby farmer – many harvests
- changed churches

I am more myself than I have been since maybe 1983. 2026 feels like it will be a rebuilding year and I’m ready for that.