Looking back at my most recent post (June!), it's clear that the later part of 2015 has been a bit of a whirlwind. South Carolina as a state has been through a lot. It was a very emotional first part of the summer with the loss of 9 lives in the Mother Emanuel AME massacre. Shock. Horror. Raw grief. That's all I felt for weeks as I watched colleagues and legislators deeply mourn the loss of such precious lives. The confederate flag debate that followed was inevitable and ultimately has brought a piece of healing that's long overdue. And then, just a few weeks ago, the flooding that devastated lives across the state opened up new wounds. But, true to SC form, people rallied and supported each other in amazing ways. While we are certainly not completely recovered, we've manged to get through together.
Life at the Branham household has been blur. Time moved quickly, a wedding, big birthdays celebrated, memories made. Work kept us busy but not so busy so that we couldn't enjoy a trip to the beach and Disney. Emily has gotten bigger and continues to amaze me with her sweet, smart self. Randy struggled a bit with some health issues but I think is finally on the right path for healing. We still struggle with finding a balance at work at home. There were highs and lows but all in all, I'm leaving 2015 in a good place.
The end of one year and the beginning of a new one is always a little bittersweet. I have regrets from 2015 and hopes for 2016. It's hard to not look back and be disappointed by things that did not happen but also be amazed by the things that did. It's exciting to dream big for what's to come. I feel so far from where I've been and what I've done in the last 12 month. But it's time to go because I cannot come back here again. Farewell, 2015.
