As 2009 draws to a close, we’ve decided to make a list (we love making lists) of the most memorable events/items/experiences of the past year. We hope you’ll look back at this year with as much joy and thanksgiving as we do for all the wonderful things, whether they be big or small, that you were blessed with.
The Durbin Year-End Top Things of 2009 List:
What was the best book you read in 2009?
Trevor — I’d probably have to say “Traveling Mercies” by Anne Lamott. A wonderful memoir from start to finish. Insanely addicting, personal, and charming. I’d put “The Brothers Karamazov” here, but I technically only finished it in 2009.
Kristi — I think Merton’s “Seven Storey Mountain” edges out “Traveling Mercies” for me. In terms of fiction, I’d have to go with “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde.
Best concert?
Trevor — This is a tough one for me (since I love music, especially live, so much). Over the Rhine’s Sunday Soiree was a wonderful experience — a beautiful venue, yummy treats, mesmerizing music, and a chance to see my favorite drummer for the band one last time (he effectively “retired” that day from the band). I also experienced joy at seeing one of my top-5 artists, Ray LaMontagne, live. So…a two-way tie?
Kristi — The Over the Rhine Soiree *was* excellent. So was seeing John Mark McMillan for the first time, a highlight for sure this past fall. But I’m going to have to choose Mute Math here. A new favorite band, the first time seeing them live, and the show was simply amazing in terms of sound and style.
Best new music album?
Trevor — Fleet Foxes self-titled album (and “Sun Giant” EP) probably received the honor of “most-played” by me this year. I can listen to it over-and-over again without growing tired of the beautiful vocal harmonies and simple melodies.
I would also probably mention MUSE’s new album “The Resistance” on this list because, of all the bands releasing new music this year that I was anticipating, I have not been let down at all by their offering. It feels like every other CD I purchased had some flaw I couldn’t quite get over, but I have thoroughly enjoyed this album.
Kristi — This is easy for me. I was only eagerly anticipating the release of 1 album this year, and it did not disappoint. So hands down, it would be “Hello Hurricane” by Switchfoot.
Best trip?
Trevor — Our honeymoon in Asheville was wonderful on pretty much every level — a beautiful cabin tucked away in the woods, eating awesome food every night, having coffee in an old double-decker bus, enjoying the local art scene, etc., etc.
For a non-obvious choice, however, I’d say my favorite trip was our vacation to Georgia (specifically Jekyll Island and the Hippie Hostel). Riding a horse for the first time was a memorable experience, as was sleeping in a literal tree-house. Lots of fun.
Kristi — I am in full agreement with everything Trevor said. :)
Best meal?
Trevor — This one is difficult, because I don’t often remember meals. I remember having the best Margherita pizza of my life at a restaurant in Asheville (they toasted garlic under the crust, which was perfectly thin and flaky — and all the toppings complimented each other, rather than vying for supremacy). Other than that, I know I’ve eaten a lot of good food this year, I just can’t remember it all.
Kristi — Post-honeymoon meal at Sal’s Chophouse in Lexington. We both ate the pesto-coated salmon on a bed of whipped potatoes with a caprese salad to boot… mouth-watering just THINKING about it!
Best moment?
Trevor — Seeing Kristi for the first time on our wedding day (as she was walking out to meet me at the altar). I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited, overjoyed, anxious, or happy all at the same time in all my life. The reality of that moment, that our time had finally come, was overwhelming (in a great way).
Kristi — Isolating 1 moment? Who came up with this question? Oh, right… me. ;) Probably the moment our wedding ceremony ended. Singing the Doxology with our friends and family as we recessed and knowing “we did it” was a great moment.
+++
2009 found us reading more, watching more movies, and doing lots of traveling. Destinations included North Carolina, Maryland, Ohio, Alabama, and Georgia. We changed marital statuses and addresses. We acquired new relatives and became an aunt and uncle for the first time. We’ve made new friends. It seemed like the life changes would never end! But all of them have been wonderful.
2009, thanks for the memories.
Nativity by John Donne.
Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb,
Now leaves His well-belov’d imprisonment,
There He hath made Himself to His intent
Weak enough, now into the world to come;
But O, for thee, for Him, hath the inn no room?
Yet lay Him in this stall, and from the Orient,
Stars and wise men will travel to prevent
The effect of Herod’s jealous general doom.
Seest thou, my soul, with thy faith’s eyes, how He
Which fills all place, yet none holds Him, doth lie?
Was not His pity towards thee wondrous high,
That would have need to be pitied by thee?
Kiss Him, and with Him into Egypt go,
With His kind mother, who partakes thy woe.
We wish you and yours a very merry (and meaningful!) Christmas.
May the Light of Christ shine brightly in your lives.
A thought for the Christian at Advent by Thomas Merton –
“The soul of the [Christian] is a Bethlehem where Christ comes to be born — in the sense that Christ is born where His likeness is re-formed by grace, and where His Divinity lives, in a special manner, with His Father and His Holy Spirit, by charity, in this ‘new incarnation,’ this ‘other-Christ.’
The Advent Liturgy prepares that Bethlehem with songs and canticles of ardent desire…”
-pg. 417, The Seven Storey Mountain
A beautiful picture for the Advent season… something wonderful to dwell on. Truly, isn’t this what advent is all about?
As for that second part, I know we may not all have traditions that follow an advent liturgy. But just think what many of the Christmas hymns that you find yourself singing or hearing this time of a year are about… “canticles of ardent desire.” Ardent desire for what? It’s ardent desire for whom, rather; desire for Christ Himself.
