a little resolve goes a long way

One year ago tonight, in the heat of the moment, I allegedly said (screamed) a few choice words that I shouldn't have to someone who I have absolutely nothing nice to say about (thank goodness they're no longer employed here), got sent home from work early, apologized to said person, then overheard the phone call where said person BRAGGED to their beau at the time about "getting me [sent home]."

At times I'm still overwhelmed with feelings about that night, and all of the fallout that came with it. Its close proximity to the park's 50th anniversary has essentially ruined this last year at work for me. Every golden pair of mouse ears, every "50" logo has been a bad reminder of the storm cloud that's lingered in my brain as a result. I've longed for this celebration to end. But tonight is an important milestone. Maybe now I can appreciate the closing weeks of it for what it's been.

There was a lot of doubt in my mind that I'd last that summer -- much less an entire year. I'd even gone as far as compiling a "goodbye" mix CD to distribute to friends upon my departure. I never got around to finishing it, and now I have no reason to. I made it through, in no small part because of the support of a whole lot of people. I learned so much from you -- about our roles here, about how to cope with the day-to-day frustration and occasional insanity, but mostly about you and me. I have yet to see a day here that we didn't make it through, and all that stuff that happened that didn't kill us made us better people for it.

The last year is all prologue now. It doesn't matter what current unhappiness or unfulfilled desire is occupying my mind at the moment. Even if I'm not where I want to be yet, no one can tell me these past twelve months haven't meant something. I made it.