“It means your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has! Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one!”

This quote comes from the genius inventor of the time machine, Dr. Emmett Brown.  Yes, the same Doc Brown from the Back to the Future trilogy.  I thought it was a fitting way to end 2021 and start off 2022.

Heading into a new year can be exciting, overwhelming, scary, optimistic, or often all of the above.  When you consider the last two years have weighed heavily on a lot of people for a number of reasons, the start of a new year can bring a lot of hope and a lot of uncertainty.

My 2021 was a bit of a roller coaster on the personal side.  The year started with the loss of my father-in-law.  A man who was never short on opinions or conversation.  Always happy to hear what was going on in my business and how I was working toward finding new clients and getting them to the closing table.  He left behind his wife, a daughter (my wife), a son, two grandkids, and a number of siblings, cousins, etc.  A tough way to start off a year, but also a reminder to enjoy the people around you while you can.

In April, my wife and I took our first getaway since the pandemic started to go to a friend’s wedding in North Carolina.  Many of our friends weren’t able to attend due to health and safety concerns with them and their families, but a few of us made it down.  The groom’s parents and sister were able to go, which was a nice scene.  My friend is one of the most gregarious and emotional people I know, so to watch him marry someone with as much love for life as he does was a wonderful thing.

August brought us the 9th annual Vayolympics.  We do this backyard style olympics every year with our friends to get together, have a few laughs, and marvel at how far our athletic prowess has plummeted over the years.  Cancelled in 2020 for obvious reasons, it was nice to see some familiar faces for the first time in a while.

November and December brought on my wife’s and my 40th birthdays (the 15 days in between when she’s a number older, is my favorite time of the year!).  We went with some friends to Vegas.  Another usually annual tradition that we weren’t able to take part in in 2020.  It was a wonderful, and safe, escape from the routine.

December also brought us the (hopefully) final surgery for my mother-in-law who has been battling illness this year.  She gets to roll into 2022 with her mind on recovery and wellness.  My wife and I couldn’t be happier for her after a very hard two years.

December ended with the passing of Betty White.  An iconic actress for over 60 years who’s smile and personality brought many of us such joy for what feels like forever.  A sad way to end the year, but I also think it’s a sign of new beginnings.  The woman died peacefully in her sleep a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday!  She was still cracking jokes and mentally and physically capable right to the end.  She leaves us knowing how much the public adored her for her abilities to bring us something to smile about.  

Once the sadness subsides that she’s gone, I hope people thank her for closing out our year instead of starting the year off with more tough news.  As 2022 begins, things are still tough out there.  The pandemic is still happening.  We are still divided on a number of political and social topics, and business and workers are trying to figure out how to work effectively, safely while getting properly compensated for their efforts.

We don’t know what 2022, or the rest of the future, will bring.  But let’s all work a little harder for each other to make it as good as possible.  We owe that much to Doc Brown, to Betty White, and to ourselves.

Wishing that your 2022 is one of your best years yet.

Until next time,

Dave