I sat in disbelief the day after the 2016 election and watched hours of news analysis about what happened. Just 24 hours earlier Chris and I brought the boys to vote. I commented that they had “helped” me vote for the first African American president and now they were “helping” me vote for the first female president.

I had to tell them I was wrong. As far as they were concerned the world was ending. They had heard all about “the wall” and had friends at school who were deeply affected by the rhetoric about deporting those undocumented. It was a direct assault on their friends.

As all the end of the year lists were published, I read the retrospectives and I could not help but think where things would be in a year at the end of 2017. What would the first year of this new president look like? How would events transpire and how would that impact my family and friends?

During the course of 2016, I noticed on social media, Instagram specifically, hashtags that followed the user’s year. Sometimes it was about health goals or a reminder to stop and “smell the roses.” I liked the idea of documenting the year- particularly the positive every day things. I decided that was what I would do to, hopefully, make 2017 feel more positive. I started on January 1st and used the hashtag #365DaysofLove. I’m almost at the end of this year long resolution. So what I have I learned?

There are a lot of things I love.
There are a lot of things I am grateful for.
Many things happen in the course of a year.
When some days it felt like the world couldn’t get any crazier, my family and friends showed me that there are things that can still make me smile.

I looked back over the 300-plus pictures I have posted and here is what I found.

I went on more dates with Chris, celebrated special events with friends who are like family, made new friends and reconnected with old friends. At 37 years old, I got my first tattoo to celebrate my best friend’s 40th birthday and dyed my hair for the first time (nine months later Chris still isn’t a fan of that change). I started writing a book and shared a bit about the beginnings of that journey. We had a family adventure in New York, summer fun and lots chill days at home together as a family.

Aidan turned 12, got a cell phone, was accepted to Boston Latin and started as a seventh grader. He had a pretty cool internship this summer He now plays the trombone.

Brendan performed in seven shows during 2017 ranging from his school musical to a couple of professional productions. His school project for Black History Month went viral and with that an outpouring of kindness.

Chris made me laugh. Especially one days it was needed most.

As a family we celebrated holidays, birthdays, events big and small and a new niece.

The act of thinking about something that happened during the day that made me realize life is good, is one of my favorite takeaways from this year. It gave me time to reflect on each day. 

I posted every day but I wasn’t successful every day in finding a “new” moment of happiness. There are a number of days that I resorted to a throwback picture or quote. But that was ok and those pictures speak to a memory, a smile and something that made me happy too.

I realize the criticism that comes with social media and making things look a little too good to be true. But my year was about focusing on the good. Let’s face it, 2017 will probably go down as one of the craziest years in our lives. I needed to record some good memories. I needed to see that even in the crazy, life goes on, kids get bigger, celebrations matter and friends are always there.

I may continue my daily postings in 2018. I like the routine, the opportunity to reflect and maybe even make a friend or two smile. I still have lots of concerns for what will happen next in the world, but I’m committed more than ever to finding the good in every day.