Here in the United States, it’s Thanksgiving. I spent the bulk of last night cooking in preparation and I’ll be doing a whole lot more of that today as I’m going to not one, but two Thanksgiving meals. However, before I race off to do that, I wanted to take a break and give some thanks.
This has been one of the most challenging years of my life, and for those that know me, that’s really saying something. It’s been an absolutely rollercoaster of a year. My professional life was rich in opportunities to learn, but overwhelming in the amount of work that it required. I knocked some big things off my bucket list (El Clasico at the Bernabeu, San Sebastian, seeing Kate Bush & Leiva) which was amazing but there was some very, very difficult times. Mainly, the serious illness and subsequent loss of my beloved Max the Cat (who passed 2 days after his 19th birthday) and my own health which was absolutely wretched. I think I spent the bulk of this year ill and laid up in bed. Three months with major respiratory problems, one healthy month followed by 6 months walking with a cane, grueling physical therapy and 2 operations. I’m still not 100% but I’m improving every day and I feel truly blessed to have come this far. The whole experience was incredibly humbling and eye opening. There is so much that I will never take for granted again.
One of the things (of many in my life) that had to take a back seat during all of this was the blog. I’m sure you all noticed that there’s been a slow down in my posting and some of our regular fun features have been very thin on the ground and for that I apologize. It’s been a real struggle to keep up with even the basic stuff and in World Cup year, no less. After Maisougio retired from the blog, there was even more that needed to be done. However, being the luckiest girl in the world, I had wonderful friends and blog readers here who stepped in to help so that I could completely fall apart (a lot of bad shit was going down during the World Cup). Major thanks must go out to Dr. P, Mandi, forzasusan, meridiansour, KFunk 22, Katie Ann, hopechaser & mygypsyspirit for all the help during the World Cup (and for being supportive always). The latter two watishistas have continued to provide great posts and commentary ever since. (I love having all these fresh voices on the blog and look forward to even more in the future.) I have no way to fully thank you guys for your help. It means so much to me. I love this blog and it would have been the land of tumbleweeds if it wasn’t for you. There were so many days where I didn’t want to get out of bed (mentally and physically) much less write about footy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your friendship is a gift.
I’m also grateful for the love of all my other friends who have kept me sane this year when I thought there was no way I would be able to go on. Just to name a few: JOD, Dollo, thankyouelfano, shiggers, Baby Girl, DK, J9, CC & JC. Your kindness and love is inspiring.
Special thanks to AB for making a dream come true and being one of the good guys.
There were also footy moments of bliss (La Decima! Die Mannschaft winning the World Cup!) and some that will going to take me a long time to recover from (XABI. ’nuff said)
But that said, change can be good. In football, in blogs, in life. Letting go of the old makes way for the new. I think that every now and then the universe decides to upset your apple cart so that you’ll evolve. And this year, it done blew my apple cart up with a nuclear warhead. So that’s what I’m thankful for today – the opportunity for some fresh starts – and I’m going to embrace that.
I’m thankful for all of you as well. You make this place what it is and I’m extremely grateful. Even those of you who don’t pipe up in the comments or on Twitter, I still see you and know that you’re there (Stats, ftw!). It’s a comfort and a pleasure.
I’m looking forward to what the future brings and thankful that I’m walking this road with some truly wonderful people. When it comes to friends, my life is an embarrassment of riches.
Moving ahead, I’m going to try to focus on the positive lessons this tough year has brought and just…be happy.
As Stephanie Dosen sings in one of my favorite songs: “This joy is gonna fill the inside out.”
Happy Thanksgiving,
Lozil
Of Headbands and Heartbreak
watishistacorrespondents
Of Headbands and Heartbreak... 
*hugs* Thank you for everything. I hope and pray that you have a wonderful year ahead of you.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Loz, that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? So, you are Wonder Woman. Grab your magic bullet-deflecting cuffs and your lasso of truth and show the world what you got.
I have read this three times in an attempt to trigger the words that could convey how grateful I am to have you as a friend. My year was awesome because of you, Dr. P, Mandi, forzasusan, AB, and so many others. Thank you. My year would have been so much less if not for you. My life would be so much less if not for you.
I, too, have had an upset apple cart year of the nuclear category. And I am grateful to have this blog to run to for escape. So thank you to all of you who have helped Lozil keep it going. You’re doing a terrific job! And of course, Lozil, thank you for being that special wonder woman who manages to keep afloat despite feeling like the water is just about to engulf you. You set an example for me that I should never give up, no matter what. Gracias, y besos y abrazos!