It seems that year after year, time finds a way to slip away from us faster and faster. Sometimes I find myself resorting to the year 2000 as my reference point to then quickly realizing that was almost 20 years ago! With 2017 coming to an end and me approaching the year where I turn 30 (simply writing that down gives me very intense heart palpitations), I think it’s important to reflect on the past 12 months and look forward to a new year with a renowned sense of hope and excitement.
Initially, my first thoughts and feelings of 2017 were of disappointment and heartache. It was a year that tested me in every way imaginable, but it was also a year that was full of love, celebration, and new-found resilience. There were countless friend’s weddings and engagements to celebrate, new friendships formed and cherished family memories made. I think that this past year has allowed me to discover what I am truly made of, but more importantly, it has shown me that my family is undoubtedly my greatest strength. The unconditional love, support and friendship that they give me day in, day out is immeasurable. I am one of the luckiest souls on this Earth.
Before I embarked upon my journey to Israel this summer, I got to spend the night with my older brother in New York City. He has always been someone I have looked up to, but this past year we have become more than just siblings; we have become best friends. As we were eating dinner on his couch and watching Friends (the one where Ross and Rachel were ON A BREAK), I told him I didn’t even want to go to Israel anymore. Why should I travel across the world to compete in the Maccabiah Games when I was so injured I couldn’t even walk? My brother was such a rock for me during that time, constantly reassuring me and reaffirming the fact that this trip was not solely about a half marathon competition. He helped me come to the realization that the trip to Israel was going to be one of the most remarkable trips I would ever take, regardless of the outcome of the race. I took so much comfort in his text messages (I would literally take snapshots of them and re-read them when I was feeling anxious) and his words always found a way to bring me peace and reassurance. I was going to one of the most historical and significant places on Earth; a place that my grandfather dreamed of traveling to with his family one day. I was being given this enormous opportunity and I could not let it go to waste. My family and boyfriend were able to join me for the latter portion of the trip and those last few days traveling through Israel with them will be memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. My brother was right (like he annoyingly tends to be); the trip to Israel exceeded all of my expectations.
I believe that in the future when I look back at the year 2017, I will feel proud. In life, it is normal to get knocked down, but it is the getting back up part and the attitude that comes along with it that determines ones spirit. I am and will forever be grateful for my family who have given me the courage and the love to keep fighting no matter the circumstances. Cheers to the year 2018…I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
