2017 was a year to say the least. It was a year of heartbreak, of growing up, of changes, and of self-dependency. I learned so many things, made so many new friends, and lost a very important person in my life. It was a hard, yet very rewarding year. January was just a normal month. It was great. Basketball was awesome and I thought some other things were awesome as well. February was good, until I got a headache/ migraine that lasted for a month. I finally got over that and ended up throwing up the first night at state basketball in March. State basketball didn't go as the team had planned, but we played and had fun, and that was the main goal. A few weeks (and lost pounds) later mom made me go to the doctor and after a couple of tests it was determined I needed to have my gallbladder removed. I got it removed halfway through track season, which meant I could no longer participate in track my senior year. Although I wasn't a fan of the events I was in, I was sad I was done. I normally pole vaulted, but due to an injury to my right shoulder my sophomore year, an orthopedic surgeon told me I couldn't pole vault my senior year. I was sad, but I knew I could move on. During the time of everything with my gallbladder I was in a relationship. It was around the middle of April at this time. I decided it was time to try to take charge of my migraines, and I went and got my daith (the little piece in your ear with a good pressure point) pierced. So far, it has improved my migraines, though they aren't completely gone I am so thankful for the relief I have received from it. I also had to get a shoulder MRI in April (with contrast dye) to ensure that I did not have a tear. After gallbladder surgery everything was going well. I was stressed about the end of the school year and deciding which college to go to. At the beginning of May I finally decided to go to a junior college: Western Wyoming Community College. The day before graduation my relationship ended. The day of graduation I went out with a group of my closest friends and we just drove around (this is probably my favorite story of the year). I was driving one of my friend's Expeditions. Long story short, I got pulled over and I didn't have my license. "It's in my car!!" was what I cried out when the cop asked me for my license. Haha ah, good times. Anyway, after that the whole group came back to my house, we ate lunch, and had some fun before the ceremony. I got to sit by one of my best friends during the ceremony, that was awesome! That night we had our senior party and one of my friends won a giant love-sac (which he gave to me), and we all won some extra gift cards. I started my first official job at the valley grocery store. I was thankful for the opportunity to work and earn money for school. I got to make some good friends while I was there and that was awesome. I just worked all summer, made some memories with friends before they all left for either their missions or school and just made the most of the time I permanently had left in the valley. In August, I moved to Rock Springs for school. I roomed my first semester with two of my best friends of a girl from a different city who quickly became a very close friend. We met other people and quickly became friends with them, one of them being a girl from the same town as my roommate. The three of us became very close and had many late nights. We were the workout buddies and that was fun. We all survived our first semester of college and had fun while we did it. September we had our annual reunion. It was a blast. Also, one of my friends came home from his mission and it was good to see him. Later in September I found out that one of the people I am closest to (Uncle Don) was in the hospital. He was released and said to be released on hospice, but he just kept trucking along. In November I went to the state championship football game, where the valley team won. Finally December hit and we took finals and got to come home for a one and a half month break. The last week of school, even though there was finals, was probably one of the best weeks there. December 15, my Uncle Don passed away. It was hard, but I haven't struggled with it as much as I thought I was going to because I know he isn't hurting any more and I know I will see him again. It may be a while, but I know he will be waiting for me and he is looking out for Lily and Uncle Bradley. I had one minor health bump in December, but it was just some temporary pain due to some cysts. We got to video call my cousin Kolbe (one of my best friends, he was with us the day I got pulled over haha!). He is on a mission in New Mexico right now. His dog passed away the day before, so that was tough because nobody told him until the day after Christmas. Uncle Don's funeral service took place two days after Christmas. It was sad and hard, but I am so happy I got to see some family.
All in all 2017 taught me a lot of things. It was hard, but definitely not as hard as it could have been. I am thankful for the lessons I was taught during this past year, and for everything that I experienced. I grew and am slowly becoming the person I want to be. I am very excited to see what the New Year brings in, and hoping to remember the lessons I learned from 2017. Mainly, learn to depend on yourself because some days, that's all you have. As I was looking on twitter this morning, I saw Al Fox Caraway tweet "Love What Comes". I am going to use this motto because no matter what comes, good or bad, it is an experience and we learn from it, so I am going to love last year, and this next year. I will be a better person after this year, and that is the most exciting part of every New Year. People change and grow and usually it is because they learn what they want or need in their lives, and from their experiences. I am going to "love what comes", are you?
Love,
MaShayla :)
In Loving Memory of Donald J. Carpenter
Love you forever and always!
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