Some friends and I were reflecting last night on the past year and I was really struggling to find highlights. The last half has been in such a shadow with my dad’s cancer battle and passing that it took over everything in my head. Not to mention continued stress over the “Panini.” But, then, my dear friend, Glory, reminded me that it wasn’t all sadness and tears and anxiety over the plague.
First of all, Peanut is thriving. She is a happy, high energy, bundle of giggles and I couldn’t be happier. She started attending daycare twice a week and is loving it. We still have a ways to go with her speech but she’s been in therapy for almost a year now and doing really well.
We got to see my little niece and nephew a little more often this year. They’re so cute when they play together. In early September, we had a picnic in the park and they ran around and giggled and nommed on chicken nuggets. For Peanut’s birthday, they played outside. I have this adorable picture of my daughter with my niece coloring together.
Platform related, I managed a few episodes of Creator Spotlight on my YouTube channel and was able to talk with some phenomenal people. Bry and Fry from the Pontifacts Podcast, the writer and some of the cast from the Power Rangers Audio Drama, longtime friend and fellow writer, Sarah Werner. I had so much fun talking with them so I am definitely bringing it back in 2022.
Also, I launched a book! I started my “Misadventures of a Mom Author” on Kindle Vella. And, while it’s not like raking in the massive amounts of reads, it’s been a lot of fun to write and share my journey. It’s going to continue and, by 2023 (as long as Vella is still a thing) I will be able to release the first volume in full. I’m planning on every 100 posts or so. Which, even without Vella, will take a couple years to write. And, this story got a video review on a YouTube channel called “Unlimited Story” so that was exciting.
And, last but not least, I have made some amazing friends in the writing community and I hope we can all meet in person someday. All over the country and the world. They’re kind, supportive, and multi-talented. Writers, podcasters, artists, crafters, musicians. From all walks of life. It has just been a joy to get to know them and talk nearly daily with some of them through the Interwebs. Social media can be a garbage fire but we’ve carved out our own little corner blanket fort surrounded by a mote where we can come and escape for a while to ease the anxiety ever so slightly.
Those were some of the top highlights of 2021. Cautiously optimistic there will be a few more highs for 2022 but we’ll see what happens. Fingers crossed and I’d cross my toes if I could.
Have a safe new year celebration! Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking. It’s only, what, $20 for an Uber if you need it? Much more affordable than the results of an accident.
And, I’ll see you next year!