Three years ago on NYE, I remember racing from an intimate dinner with friends to one of those ridiculous hotel parties in DC to ring in the new year, and once I found myself there surrounded by a bunch of strangers drinking cheap champagne from a can, my resolution came to me right away: not doing this again. I decided then and there that in 2011, it was time to face the one thing I’d been avoiding for quite some time– after 20 years, it was time to try and find my dad.
Luckily, I was able to track down my uncle rather quickly in January 2011, and the following month my dad flew to DC. At rather warped speed, I was able to meet his entire side of the family that year and integrate them into my life. By the time NYE rolled around, I was exactly where I wanted to be– surrounded by my family in Miami feeling on top of the world. But there was still some more repair work to be done,…
2012 was the year to reconcile with my mom, and that was definitely something I could not have accomplished without tremendous encouragement and support from my father, step-mother, aunt and godparents. They all believed this was critical to my emotional well-being, and although I did not fully see their point at the time, I did trust in their wisdom, and of course it turns out they were 100% correct. Sadly that year ended with my grandmother in the hospital, and I opted for a low key NYE realizing I needed to draft a eulogy, which I in fact wound up giving in the beginning of this year.
My plan for 2013 was to start fresh– purging not just things, but all negative energy. I set some pretty high goals for this year, and although not everything went according to my vision, it all turned out beautifully. With the help of family and friends, I finally moved into a new home and finished my children’s book, while also completing 58 tv episodes, winding up on Good Morning America and making the Washingtonian’s top lawyers list in December. So how will I celebrate NYE? On top of a mountain, literally, with my favorite person on Earth– my son.
I have no idea what 2014 has in store for me, but here is one thing I do know– I’m out to make my NYE resolutions count. So far, I’ve got a good streak going– and no doubt a lot has to do with the fact that I didn’t waste my time sweating the little stuff. I decided 3 years ago to think BIG, and here’s hoping you do too. As the saying goes, reach for the moon– even if you don’t make it, at least you will land among the stars. 🙂
By Regina A. DeMeo, Esq.
