Reflecting On The Past Year

2018 is winding down and in some ways, that’s a really good thing. The news cycle is horrific. Whenever I think things can’t get worse, they do. But then again, there were moments of bravery and humanity that brought me to tears and filled me with hope. 

There were adjustments and moments that gave me pause. There was looking for a new normal. There were illnesses and arguments and there was the “if you give a mouse a cookie” repair of my basement that led to a new driveway that didn’t quite go as we anticipated.

I lost old friends and made new ones and realized whom my true ones are. There’s college stress and “holy cow, you made it!” There was a lot of laughter and snark and circuitous logic and eye rolls.

And there was a new book, and an audio version of another book. There was writer’s burnout and learning how to get through it.

Through it all, there was faith and hope that we’d make it through. And we did—sometimes barely, sometimes miraculously, but always together. So, as we approach 2019, I’m going to remember what worked, what went well and what and whom I loved. I’m going to try to learn from my mistakes, but will probably repeat many of them. I’m going to treasure the “mom, you were right” moments and remember that worrying makes you suffer twice. 

And for my friends and family, I wish you all joy and hope and faith and love and lots and lots of laughter.