2015 – Did it!

I keep a ‘Did it!’ list to remind me of my accomplishments throughout the year, because I tend to forget them. Despite all of my good intentions, I’m an emotional creature and the events that happen throughout the year that pull on my emotions stick with me way longer than anything else.

2015 was a tough year for us as a family. Our children began the year at a school we can only describe as atrocious. We finally got them into a new school, but had to overcome the transitional challenges. In the process, we discovered our daughter had autism. We’re still fighting our way through the system to get help and support. Last year, my husband also started a new job that required him to put in a tremendous amount of effort, from late nights to little or no vacation. We’re exhausted because all of these things took up, and continue to take up, most of our physical and emotional energy. Many of my own personal goals were pushed to the side and as 2016 dawned, I really, really, really looked forward to a new year.

But when I went back over my ‘Did it!’ list, I realized I did a lot this year.

• Wrote a book.
• Met four authors – for signings, talks, and even dinner.
• Wrote nine short stories.
• Wrote twenty-one poems.
• Published my short story, “Bug Out,” in Perihelion Science Fiction.
• My short story, “Body Talk,” received honorable mention in an international writing competition.
• Fought for support for our children at school.
• Led one writer’s workshop.
• Attended three additional writer’s workshops.
• Read fifty books.
• Completed four MOOCs.

A lot of smaller accomplishments made it on the list, too. Things like, ‘Had a great lunch with Amy!’ and ‘Saw the new Star Wars movie!’ And it’s the little things, and the big things, that help remind me the year wasn’t all that bad.

I go back and forth on how I feel about resolutions, but I did make a list this year and it’s a mixture of things I can control and work toward, like ‘Publish the second book’ and ‘Write the third book’ and things I hope happen, like ‘laugh more.’ I guess I can’t really call it a list of resolutions. Maybe the ‘Hope List’.

Anyway. I’m looking forward to seeing how 2016 plays out and I wish each of you an amazing year. May your ‘Did it!’ lists overflow with both big and small moments.