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YEARS END

2019.

By David Metcalfe

December 31^st, 2019

2019 – Where do I even begin?

Bittersweet & Transformed: How I would describe my year.

Writing these is becoming tougher and tougher. Mostly because I want to be as honest as possible but I don’t feel like all of what I need to write are actually my stories to tell. I was really good this year in that every month I would upload all my photos so I wouldn’t have to sit down and do that for two straight days (like every year in the past). However, I forgot to write down anything and so I’m really stretching to remember what happened this year. Some might ask: “How do you forget an entire year?” Well it’s not that I’ve forgotten it.. It’s just that I don’t feel like I’m the same person leaving 2019 as when I came into it. This year started off in kind of a haze and even though I thought I felt like myself – I really wasn’t. I had (have) a lot to unpack from 2016/2017, and yenno, in 2018 I didn’t really deal with any of that. I mostly kept myself distracted in 2018. A lot of changes happened this year though. And just when I felt like things were starting to coast – something was different.

A winding journey with a lot of bittersweet moments. It is safe to say I am happier now that I have been in so many years. Thanks to whoever has been part of that.

Just like every year you can click any of the underlined and listen to the soundtrack of my year.

January: Cold Stares, The Night We Met, & All We Ever Knew.

January was a party and it was busy. I started flying around for work (bucket list: check) and that was more fun that I could have imagined. There was a lot of time spent in airports, Johnny’s, and around the ice. I got to be honest about life.

An afternoon skating was one of my favourite moments of the winter.

February: Roll The Bones, Midnight Summer Jam, & The Dirt.

February was better. Festival was everything I needed it to be. I held hands with Justin Timberlake so that’s a pretty cool ‘I’ve never’ for down the road. I started to fall in love with an artists work and I didn’t know that he would help shape my year. February was cold and slow but much needed change was definitely in motion.

A new little coffee shop quickly became my favourite until it closed later that year.

March: What If, Funeral Beds, & Salt Lake City.

March needed to happen. I don’t really want to talk about March.

April: Peace of Mind, Only You, & There Will Be Time.

April marked the beginning of one of the busiest stretches of my life. Taste Buds started which meant 8 different cities within just weeks. I didn’t sleep much this month and my focus was off. Most of my time was spent in hotels, football stadiums, and airports. Working with athletes is one of my favourites. The Whiteout was back but short-lived. My heart started to feel all sorts of confusion. Bonfire season had begun but I knew it would be different this year. Oh well.

I really don’t like the city of Hamilton – I’m sorry Hamilton.

May: Bad Guy, The Wolves, & Put It On Me.

May was overwhelming. Anxiety started to show it’s familiar face. My heart was confused more than ever now. All the travel began to wear me down but it finally came to an end. Sport season started and it began to feel like Summer. There was an excitement in the air for the Raptors. We got to celebrate Alex’s bachelor party and I met some new friends and rekindled old friendships. Bagpipes played in the park.

Going to church regularly became important again. God am I glad it did.

June: Where Are U Now, Wanderlust, & Duplicate.

June had me all excited but I thought June would be way different than it was. Festival season was upon us but I wasn’t as excited as usual. I decided who my friends were. I took a lot of photos of Poppy. I had to go back to Hamilton.. Yay. We did a Starbucks run using kayaks. I remained quiet but continued on. I learned how to go somewhere by myself and be okay with that. It still can be tough though.

June was the last slow month of the year.

July: Weight in Gold, I Will Possess Your Heart, & Do Me a Favour.

July is when it all changed for real. Time flies when you’re having fun and oh the fun began. Canada Day was a breeze. I went to Folk Fest for the first time and it was everything I wanted it to be. I felt brave so I introduced myself to some people and it was the best decision I made that month. I applied to go back to University and sat with that. Anchor Point became something I looked forward to and Sunday nights were something to be excited about. I started to open up about March. Kinda. I had a scare with my vision and it set me back more than I thought it would. It pushed me to something better. Hope was around the corner.

I can’t say it enough I am so happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone.

August: Hymn For The Weekend, Someday, & Take Courage.

August has always been my favourite Summer month. This August felt special though. A bit of networking went a long way. I spent my birthday at the rehearsal for two of my best friends wedding. The wedding was beautiful, and the party was wild. I want every concert to be a headphone concert from now on. We celebrated and remembered life. I took a real vacation for the first time in almost 5 years. We made bets.

August flew by in the blink of an eye. I really miss how I felt in August.

September: Hallelujah, La Vie en Rose, & If I Give It All.

September was short. September was blurry, and so are most of these photos. Nuite Blanche was the start of something special. Our soccer team won the championship in the rain. I felt like I spent most of the month in a car. The weather was beautiful.. Broken up perfectly by the last storms of Summer. We got to celebrate the marriage of more close friends. An accidental text message reminded me how to laugh freely.

The bad news didn’t seem so bad in September.

October: Selah, Whole Heart, & I Love You.

October has always been my favourite month of them all. I was blessed to be a part of 4 different thanksgiving dinners. Our group started to grow, and grew close. I took photos just for my eyes. I took photos for my friends and realized how much they really cared. 3:00am nights became the norm. I wanted to go back to school but felt like I missed my chance for the year. Insecurities broke down. We started a cell group and it put together another amazing group of people to do life together. Live music still rules.

I was reminded that not all challenges need to be faced alone.

November: Unholy War, The Way Life Goes, & Back From the Edge.

November was filled with the spirit. Bread We Break was like no other before it. Friends started to pursue their passions. There were so many reasons to celebrate. The Bombers finally broke the drought and we celebrated in the streets. My friends told me they were pregnant and I almost didn’t believe them. I started to get visions instead of words – this was pretty new to me honestly. Streaks are dorky but still kinda fun.

There were so many happy moments in November that I never want to forget.

December: Real Thing, Nothing Else, & Lean Back.

December did not feel like the holidays. I got my ears pierced right away. My friend flew to Toronto for a cooking contest and we were all so proud. I finished up my application for my masters, and got it. We celebrated with champagne and sugar cookies. I felt loved by so many people. My friends quickly became like family to me. My brother flew back for the holidays and we got to spend Christmas Day just laughing. Most nights wrapped up at about 3:00am – we said one final goodbye to Lorne (our home away from home). Today Alex & Cyd announced their pregnancy so in 2020 our family will be a little bit bigger. Friends moved back home, some decided to leave for a while..

But once we’re all back wow that’s going to be something.

I don’t have much to say about 2020 except for how excited I am for it. I didn’t love how 2019 started but quickly watched it become such an amazing year. It would be really easy for me to be sad about this year ending but instead I’m choosing to be positive about it. 2020 will be a year of fulfillment. People listening to the spirit and following in it’s direction. I’m excited to go back to school and begin my Masters. 2020 is going to be something special for so many people and I cannot wait to hear all the stories that will come from it.

With love,

David.

Button Label

Years End.

YEARS END

2019.

2020

less can be more.

for your curiosity.

camera testing.

2018.

return of the pumpkins.