This year, for the first time in six years, I did not post my "12 Days of Christmas" skating countdown. In fact, this year I posted on the blog far less than any other year. This was a year of change with more demands on my time than ever before. While I am grateful for all the opportunities and experiences of 2016, I would be remiss if I didn't also mention that the constant transition, hustle, and general overload wore me down and left a lot less time for the thing that I love: reading, blogging, and watching skating. I understand that there is more to life than figure skating, and I embraced all that this year, but in the end, something was missing. Up until a few days ago, I felt like I was at the end of my rope. I needed time to rest, relax, restore, and enjoy all the things that I love. There is a saying that goes, "You have to fill the cup before you can pour it out." In the last few days, I've been doing just that. I needed the opportunity to take care of myself, take time to just be a person, and fill my life with the things that are such an integral part of my soul.
Figure skating has been a part of my life for almost 23 years now. It's a big part of who I am. I have countless memories of watching skating competitions, attending skating competitions, reading about skating, writing about skating, and also skating myself. As we say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017, I hope to have more time to indulge in my passion. Skating has always brought me such joy. One of the reasons that I love this blog is not only because I love skating and writing, but because I feel like it's the one way that I can share my inspiration and love of the sport with others. I don't know who reads this, if people just click on the pages for a moment, or if they stop and stay awhile, but either way, it makes me happy to think that someone, somewhere, can read my blog and watch the videos that have always made me smile, moved me to tears, or brought me so much entertainment and joy.
One skater who has not only brought me some of my favorite moments, but also served as one of my life's inspirations, is Michelle Kwan. It seems only fitting to share one of her most beautiful programs "Winter" by Tori Amos, as the beginning of my pledge to spend more time with my sport and to take more time to share what I enjoy with others.
This program of Michelle's is everything that I love about figure skating in one program. It is pristine, elegant, heartfelt, flowing, pure, and serene. This is figure skating's true essence.
To everyone who stops on this page and stays awhile, I hope that you enjoy this piece of art as much as I do.
Merry Belated Christmas and a happy and healthy 2017 to all!
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