Columnist recounts a decade worth of memories

As we roll into the new year, I took a few minutes to reflect on the past 10 years. A decade, and the events that seem like they happened last week.

Preston, Andrew, Whitney, me and Daddy in '01.

It’s amazing how much can happen within those 10 years that can change your life completely.

In 2000, I was a freshman in high school who had to rely on my older (yes, Whitney is OLDER THAN ME) sister to drive me around.

In 2001 we found out that my dad had small cell lung cancer, 9-11 happened and life seemed to crawl by.

In 2002 my daddy passed away and I felt as though I lost a part of my heart. I was Daddy’s girl and everything changed after he died. Things still aren’t the same to this day without having Daddy around.

In 2003 my sister graduated high school and headed off to college and for the first time in my life, I had my very own room. I was excited for about a week and then it lost all it’s joy. We’d shared a room for almost 18 years and even though I haven’t admitted it until today, I missed her.

She won’t read this so I won’t have to worry about her holding this over my head. Sister rivalry and all.

Candace, Kayla, Jess and me at Graduation in '04.

In 2004 I graduated high school and the real world began.

Since 2005 and 2006 didn’t amount to much, because I didn’t amount to much, I’ll skip over those unmemorable events.

Except the fact that I moved to Michigan in 2006.

In January of 2007 I came back to Kentucky to visit my Poppy who was sick and in the hospital. While we were here visiting him, I was put in the hospital. I was given a less than 40 percent chance of making it through.

On the day that my Poppy passed away I started to pull through and it was a long recovery. Even though I miss him everyday, I know that he was my angel looking out for me.

My Poppy, James "Rabbit" Tipton.

Later on in 2007 my sister had my nephew William Allen and her life changed completely.

August 2008 changed my life in a completely different way. I married the love of my life Timmy, and nothing has been the same since.

My Granny Mary and nephew William.

Spring 2010 brought around another large blow to my family. We lost Granny Mary and my heart broke again. She was always there when I needed some advice, and trust me, she didn’t beat around the bush. She’d tell it to you straight.

And, on what would have been Granny’s 72nd birthday, my sister Whitney gave birth to my niece, Kenlee Marie and we all smiled a little bit more.

You may be wondering why I put all of these scatter brained memories together. The good memories along with the bad, and I’ll tell you why. Life isn’t all full of the good memories and moments. It’s made up of the sad ones as well. Full of the ones that knock you to your knees and make you doubt whether you can get back to your feet.

Eventually you manage to get back up. You are able to plant your feet on solid ground and take that first step. Standing beside you are the ones you love. Your family and your friends and your faith in God hold on to you and help you find your way.

All of these moments and all of these memories and challenges in life help to make us who we are today.

Lisa Baber told me something very wise the other day. She said, “My mother always said that ‘life is nothing but a memory, so make sure that each day is worth remembering.’”

Happy New Years and God Bless.

12-30-10