02/01/08

2007 was a pretty big year for me. Maybe the biggest.

After all, in 2007, I held the life of a 4-pound child in my hand, I turned down the proposal of a drunken cowboy, I finally chose a major (again) and I decided to make a career out of Guitar Hero-just in case that major doesn’t work out.

In 2007, I dodged a couple of big bullets (maybe more), and I broke a few hearts. Hell, I even got my own heart broken once or twice.

I took my first shot of vodka (trust me, it didn’t go down well), I got a “B” in a class I could have easily gotten an “A” in, and I took a road trip to St. Louis to see one of my best friends and rode all but one roller coaster at Six Flags (sorry Steph, I’m a chicken).

I learned how to create a makeshift bra out of a drawstring from Adidas shorts (thanks Kaylee), I learned the true meaning of country cruising, and I watched an extraordinary woman lose her life to cancer.

In 2007, I shook the hand of the strongest man I’ve ever known.

I held a $1 million check, and I hugged a man who wouldn’t trade 50 years of marriage for any amount of money.

I let down my family once or twice, ruined a couple of great friendships and said goodbye to three friends who would forgive me no matter what (run the naked mile for me while you’re there).

In 2007, I frosted 112 cookies with three of my younger cousins and went Christmas shopping with my own money. I learned to surf and gained about 10 pounds.

I wrapped my bedroom door with Christmas wrapping paper just a few days after Halloween, helped my sister get into college and smashed six snowmen (yes, children of Baldwin City, it was we who destroyed your dreams).

I watched a good friend battle bulimia, and I sat in an emergency room with my sister as her best friend lay in a coma.

In 2007, I made new friends, and I made new enemies. I became a hero to a 3-year-old, and in that same year, I saw my own hero let me down as she fell through the cracks.

In 2007, I laughed a lot. I cried some too, but I survived.

But nothing I did in 2007 compares to what I’ve already done in 2008. On Jan. 1, 2008, I vowed to become a better Christian.

So far, so good, but I’ll let you know how it turns out.