The best kind of goodbyes hold no regrets.

2011 did not give me much, but in 2011 I gave to myself - wrapping up, starting new, strengthening of the “lifts-you-higher”, disposing of the cancers, active doing, hurting, healing, pouring out, taking in, falling down, standing up. 2011 treated me to rewards for everything I always thought about giving up on but never did, to reasons to keep fighting, to a Kodak end to senior year, to high school graduation and to a hazy summer with the best people. 2011 gave me UCLA, and everything that came and is to come with that. 2011 was development, growing to the point I could feel it, doing things for me, realizing what mattered, embracing emotions, finding magic. 2011 was tearing apart and breaking down in order to piece back better, it was discovery, it was understanding you, it was understanding me.

This year doesn’t read in highlights, but in fusions, and this seems to make it easier not only to pocket and carry, but also to leave.

No regrets, and still, here we are, hoping or even knowing the best is yet to come. May this year’s bests be next year’s worsts.

Hi, 2012.