Dear 2014,
Boy, have you been one heck of a year. You have shown me stress, hard work, failure, acceptance, denial, joy, success, and oh so much love. A whirlwind of emotions all landing me right here, at the end of an amazing year.
College was one of the biggest worries and greatest joys that you threw at me this past year. I was accepted into four amazing colleges, and was wait-listed to one of my top schools. Being wait-listed was really hard for me to accept, but I knew that God had a greater plan for me. Not so surprisingly, making a final decision on a college did not come easy to me. I worried and teetered back and forth between my top two schools for weeks, stressing about which one would be the best option. Eventually, I had to learn to let my heart tell me what I needed to do. You taught me that making a life-changing decision, or any decision for that matter, is not made easier by weighing yourself down with worry.
I was part of a team and a farm that showed me that family is not just biological. They gave me so much joy every time we were together, whether we were competing, practicing, or bonding over dinner at Olive Garden. They taught me dedication, trust, and self-acceptance, lessons I would not have learned on my own. I want to thank you, 2014, for letting me be a part of that, even if the team was only for a short time.
I learned who my true friends were as we trudged through school and college applications, while still finding time to have fun. I got to see all of my friends experience the joys of graduation, and I celebrated with them as we walked across the stage to receive our high school diplomas. I am so proud of everything my friends are and everything they will one day become. They bring me so much happiness, and I am so blessed to have them in my life.
Your summer was one of the best summers I could have asked for. It was filled with travel, horseback riding, family, and friends. My horse and I had the best show season we have ever had, despite my worries that she wouldn't ever jump again. She taught me so much about trust, happiness and positivity, all lessons I am still working on learning.
In the fall I packed up my life in Fredericksburg and moved it to Athens, Ohio to start my life in college. You gave me a little bit of a rough start, filling my head with loneliness, fear, and doubt. Fortunately I settled in, and I met some of the greatest friends and had some amazing experiences. You gave me a lesson about maturity the hard way, but I am grateful for the lessons I am learning in college.
You took me all over the world this past year, to Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, St. Lucia, Washington, Pennsylvania, Spain, Ohio, and New York City. You provided me with an excellent live music selection including Bastille, The Head and The Heart, and Bruno Mars. You gave me family, friends, and horses, which were exactly what I needed. I learned so much about myself during this past year that I never thought I would even need to learn, and I want to thank you.
My heart grew so big this year, and I only hope that in 2015, I can open it to even more possibilities. In 2015 I will think more, pray more, try more, and worry less.
Sincerely,
Allyson xoxo
