Year End

Remember at Pesach when we end with “next year in Remember at Pesach when we end with “next year in Jerusalem?”

For me it is “next year” …… and then my thoughts start to spin. I will have a lot of changes in this coming year. Might even be looking forward rather than back. Example – my military career – starting in Jan 1978 when I was commissioned – will be coming to an end this spring. I actually will have control of my life and my work. (yes, I know that you civilians might find that funny. We active duty types don’t really grow up. It seems that we are always changing jobs and locations as a way of life. Rarely do we have complete control over where we are or what we are assigned to do. Doesn’t matter if you like the coworkers – they may be no happier to see you in return. Unlike with the reserves – for the active force you know that there will be 30-50% turnover every year. No, not matter what they say – the military does not function like a business. But I digress…)

For the first time since Jan 2008, I might even get to live in the same house as my husband. Kind of a daunting thought for me as I really have gotten to do things “my way” for quite a while. Of course, my way might just involve a whole lot of cleaning and sorting for months after I am home. Maus (or Ms Pink or Ms Copper) is the only one left in secondary school and she finishes this year.

Then there is the wonderful world of employment (or not).

Can you tell I am ready for a change?

This past year has been full of challenges mostly related to work and paperwork. I have made some wonderful friends, knit some, read a lot, finished a fair number of CME courses. Finally, I will finish the Dari before midnight (altho if I had been on the correct course it would have been done hours ago – nothing like trying to do level 2 before level 1….) All of this means that it should be β€œnext year in Heidelberg!”

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16 Responses to Year End

  1. Linda M says:

    Happy New Year to you and yours!

  2. Margo says:

    Happy New Year, Holly – and very best wishes for an interesting, safe and satisfying 2011.

    Hope you do get to spend more time with your family, even if that means some challenges!

  3. Steve says:

    Happy New Year…hope all is quiet and there aren’t any fireworks to celebrate the new year…just think this is the last time someone will say that backwards fireworks statement…

  4. ruth says:

    Shanah Tovah!

  5. Carmen says:

    All change is a lot of personal work.

    It is going to be a big change for all concerned. You are not the only one set in your ways, right?

  6. Holly says:

    Oh, yes that is an excellent point. It is going to put a strain on the rest of the household as well. I am not exactly the shy retiring one when it comes to some house management issues.

  7. Pat says:

    No matter how ready I was for a big change like what you describe, I’d
    be also scared/nervous. However, you have lots of models of people you
    know who’ve made it work

  8. Cheryl says:

    A wise mentor of mine once said that you shouldn’t leave the military until you are running towards something instead of away from it. Enjoy lacing up the running shoes! πŸ™‚

  9. Isobel says:

    Sounds like a very, very good plan.

    Have a very happy and healthy new year. I LOVE being Jewish–that way we can wish our friends happy new year TWICE!

  10. Berg says:

    Wishing you all good things for you and your family in the new year

  11. Isobel says:

    Any thoughts of going into private practice? If so, where?

    works nicely, doesn’t it?

  12. Holly says:

    been there, done that – don’t ever want to go there again!

  13. Berg says:

    Deployments always were a communication challenge and very depressing during holidays

  14. Janet says:

    Have a wonderful New Year – in Heidelberg.

  15. Cheryl says:

    Going to dinner down in Annapolis, then staying in. Next year we ARE going to the Kennedy Center! πŸ™‚ It is amazingly warm today (40s/50 in the sun)-the January thaw has come early. Be safe over there! I pray for you guys every day.

  16. will40 says:

    Remember at Pesach when we end with

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