Last year, my year end post was "The Year in Friends".
As I look back on 2008, I am struck by the explorations - what I discovered about myself and the world around me.
January: Hope. I think I felt for the first time what it really means to have hope. After months of bad news about my mother's rare cancer we finally got some good news in the battle. I needed some hope at that point. Thank you.
February: Art. Ok, so I did not discover it, but I felt how much it lifts the spirt and means to me when on a cold, snowy day in Maine, we set out to beat the cabin fever and enjoyed a great, small museum.
March: Lisbon. I had been for the first time a couple months before - but never really left work and the convention center. This time I made sure to carve out some time to explore this beautiful city.
April: Korea. My first trip. I had wanted to visit the country ever since I dated a guy from there a few years ago. I loved it. The country that is. A work colleague showed me around the city and we became good friends on subsequent trips in 2008.
May: Catholicism. I was raised a catholic. I was an altar boy growing up. I have discovered that despite some obvious differences I have with the Church, I still am comforted by it. I enjoy the mass and culture - especially when shared with loved ones.
June: South America. Woo Hoo! Finally. I have been traveling the world for years, but have never made it south of the US. My first "discovery" of Latin America was Ecuador & Colombia. The Colombia trip was especially special because it was with Jean and the two Davids.
July: Washington, DC. I am rediscovering my home city. I have lived here for 16 years and thought I had seen and done it all. But I have started looking at this complex city differently and seeing its beauty and uniqueness all over again.
August: Nature. Despite having been born and raised in rural and small town Maine - I have never really been the "outdoorsy" type. However, I am discovering that I do have a connection to nature - especially urban nature.
September: Community. My community. Columbia Heights. When I was searching for a new home almost 2 years ago, I knew I wanted to be here. The neighborhood is changing fast and we are having some problems but I have discovered that only makes me more committed to it and to my neighbors.
October: Buddhism. I have really begun to explore and discover Buddhist principles this year. It is a very gentle and forgiving approach to life. I like what I know so far. I have enjoyed the discovery.
November: Gay Rights. I am discovering that despite cultural advances (i.e. the Will & Grace effect) we really don't have rights and protections. I can still be fired for being gay. I have no access to marriage and its benefits. I am still threatened on a regular basis. Maybe I will discover I am becoming an activist too.
December: You CAN go home again. A nice and surprising discovery. In 2008 I spent at least a week every month living in Maine with my parents and their dog. I loved every minute of it. I have not lived in Augusta for 25 years, but there is a connection that is amazingly strong. And I am both lucky and grateful.
