5 years

I was thinking Sunday at our De Young Christmas party, how Sunday started a cycle of 5 year anniversaries, most of which were not great. Sunday was five years since Grandma De Young's stroke (and of me finding out on Amber's xanga page while away in Boston). Today is five years from her death. Less than a month from now is five years from Jeff's parent's accident and his dad's death. My birthday is five years from the last time Jeff talked to his dad, and one of the only times I talked to him. Later on in the year (well, once a month, pretty much), we had more deaths, more tragedies. This year will be five years from my Uncle Kevin's traumatic bicycle accident, and while he is no longer who he used to be, we are blessed that he survived.

2007 was the most devastating year Jeff and I have lived through for each of our families, and it will not be forgotten, and hopefully not be matched any time soon. However, it was also the year I met and got engaged to Jeff. I fully believe that without all the tragedies pulling us together so quickly, we may not be married today. It's hard to not grow close to one another when you are grieving so many losses. I look forward to the next five years together with Jeff by my side, no matter what trials we may face.