2009.  It’s been a big year.  Challenging.  A bit frustrating.  And a year where I lost (my dad) and gained (some perspective).

As we approach year’s end, I thought I’d reflect on what I’ve learnt this year.

Here’s just a few of my lessons’ learnt.

In 2009, I learnt that:

Expectations sometimes need to be lowered

Lowered expectations can lead to a greater appreciation of what is

Time is my friend.  I don’t need to rush through life.  I can slow down and live a richer life.

Most people who ’succeed’ work bloody hard and don’t give up

I need both running and yoga in my life.

Holidays are good.

I have achieved more than I thought I had.

I am resilient.

What did you learn in 2009?

It was a lazy long weekend here in South Australia.  On Saturday, we had a family outing in the city.  A movie, dinner and icecream.

We went to see the family friendly ‘Up‘ by the geniuses that run Pixar.

It was so delightfully good that my husband I couldn’t stop talking about it.

The animation was visually stunning but what was more impressive was the emotional layers, the sharp story telling, and the clever concepts.

If you haven’t seen it - here is the synopsis.

From Disney/Pixar comes Up, a comedy adventure about 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America.

But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. From the Academy Award-nominated director Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.), Disney/Pixar’s Up invites you on a hilarious journey into a lost world, with the least likely duo on Earth.

And this is what I learnt about life from the movie ‘Up’:

Your heroes aren’t always what they seem to be

There are adventures to be found in your own backyard

Grumpy old men aren’t always that grumpy

Chocolate can tame wild rare birds

Dogs are dogs after all

Sometimes you have to leave the past behind to face the future

Families come in all shapes and sizes

There is always something to be positive about

Everyday life is an adventure in itself

Friendships can be found at any age

It’s good to dream

Never give up

Death is part of life

There is such a thing as true love

Living is what life’s all about

I absolutely loved this movie.  It was real life in animation.  Outstanding work Pixar.

Antwerp train station in Belguim erupted in song and dance recently.

This is a truly joyous video.

And makes commuting so much more palatable.

When my daughter was 2 years old I decided to write her regular letters. 

My goal was to write her a letter every 6 months in which I described what she’s been doing, what she’s been saying and how much I love her.

I bought a beautifully lined book, and began.  When my son was 18 months I started his book too.

I haven’t managed to write as frequently as I would like - letters tend to be a year apart.  But when I take the time to sit down and reflect on my children and how amazing they are, it is wonderfully indulgent.

I plan to keep writing these letters reguarly until they are 18 or 21 and then handing them over as a collection of my reflections on their life.

I don’t see the books as an accurate history, but more as a collection of my musings about them.

It is my way of holding time still, and preventing small moments from being forgotten.

It is a memento I am creating for them, but it also makes me feel good.

By taking the time out of my busy life to write the letters, I realise how amazing my children really are, and how grateful I am that they are a part of my life.

How to write a memory book for your children:

1. Buy or find a notebook - either blank or lined.  Or you can write on whatever scrap of paper you can find and bundle the pages together.

2. Find a quiet moment (once the kids are in bed or before they get home from school) and write them a letter.  Talk about whatever you like.  The weather, what they’ve been up to, how you feel about them.  Try not to censor, just write.  And don’t worry about perfect grammar, just write.

3. Add photos or pictures if you like.

That’s it.  Easy!  All it takes is half an hour to an hour of your time.  But it’s value is worth so much more.  Enjoy!