How Do You Measure a Year?

525,600 minutes... how do you measure a year?

Seasons of Love - Rent

This song has always been a favorite musical hit of mine, but this year the question it asks really resonates with me. What a year 2015 has been. How would I measure this year?


2015 did not start or end the way we thought it would. It was supposed to start with welcoming a baby, not mourning one, and after all that happened, it was not supposed to end with a baby... even with doctor approval to try, we couldn't possibly be lucky enough to conceive and deliver another baby by the end of the year... but we did, and for that I am so grateful.

2015 was a roller coaster of emotion. We were constantly in awe of how God can work such joy into your life when at the same time you feel such pain. We welcomed the joy, while allowing the pain into our hearts too. We made the decision to acknowledge all we are grateful for, including the time we had with our baby girl. We also chose to live it up with Dodger games, trips to the theater, wine tasting trips with friends (I served as DD once pregnant of course), and so much more. Sure, maybe we were busying ourselves to numb the pain, but in the meantime we made so many memories and it was so worth it. 525,600 minutes... 525,600 moments to choose joy and gratitude while acknowledging sadness and pain. 525,600 chances to choose hope over fear by getting out of bed and living a full life.

2015 was also a year of physical challenges for me. In just over a year, I endured two pregnancies. In just under a year I delivered my first two babies. In less than two years I gained and lost over 30 pounds... twice. In less than a two year span, I was pregnant for 17 months... and I'm still standing! 525,600 minutes... 525,600 opportunities to be grateful for all the amazing things the female body is capable of.

We brought in the new year along Colorado Boulevard for our annual watching of the Rose Parade. As I sat there, all bundled up, cozy baby in my arms, I couldn't help but tear up as the parade began. Just a year ago I was sitting in that same spot, faking a smile and wishing for a day I could smile a real smile again. I had no idea that just one year later I'd be able to do so. My heart still aches, but it rejoices too.

So I guess I'd measure this past year in choices, 525,600 moments to choose. This year I did my best to spend most of those moments choosing joy, hope, gratitude, and love.

How do you measure a year?