Welcome 2016
For me, the year 2015 went out with a whimper, and 2016 arrived quietly. The past month had its challenges and we were living life, day to day, not planning too far ahead. As a result, we found ourselves with no plans for New Years and honestly, were okay with it. We spent the night in, with a nice dinner and then watching TV, switching to the busyness of New Year’s Eve in Times Square around 11:30. Midnight came and went. We listened to the neighborhood sounds and I watched fireworks from my kitchen window.
The past year had many changes. We lost several people we love. Our day to day lives changed dramatically since our youngest went off to college. I found myself without a “job” and took steps to relaunch my career. I made progress in researching my family history and (thanks to technology) found and corresponded with cousins whom I hope to meet in person this year.
Sometimes we need quiet to recharge, to get ready for what is to come. I am looking forward to 2016 and all it has to offer. This is the year I move out of my first half century and there is much I still want to accomplish.
I am happy with the start I made and excited about the idea of once again having a career. I don’t regret my choice to put it on hold; I am very happy that I was able to put all my energy into being Mommy instead of having to juggle roles. It made me a better person and gave me valuable insights (and stories to tell). I am a believer in the idea that I can have it all, just not all at the same time. If I am going to do something, I want to do it well. As I am finding myself again and redefining who I am, I am realizing that in some cases, I don’t have to choose, I can accomplish multiple goals. My plan for the year:
* Finish/fine-tune my book and find a publisher
* Continue to write and submit stories for publication
* Grow my family tree (I am back to 1800 on two lines)
* Continue to make new friends (I am meeting lots of interesting people lately)
* Reconnect with (or meet) family members and old friends
* Get outside and walk more
* Juggle my professional goals and schedule and still be accessible for my husband and kids
This all sounds manageable. I am looking forward to a good year.
Manageable is the operative word for me this coming year. With a new work assignment, my husband will be 3000 miles away for most of the next two years. He’ll be home every couple of weeks for a long weekend, and I plan to take a trip or two out there, but managing it, along with substantial volunteer responsibilities, plus some major health issues……..damn. It is going to be a challenge. I’ll be looking for company, so feel free to drop by so I can talk your ear off. This is an awful lot of house for just one person to occupy.
Keep up the writing – you do it so well! As for my book, maybe I’ll get past the 32 pages I have had together for a couple of years now. 2016 should be the year to “unblock!”
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