Welcome, Everyone, to 2014!

As the ball dropped in Times Square, kidlet #1, who, in all fairness, is my more visibly emotional child, broke down in tears. When pressed as to what was the matter, he’s simple reply was, “I’m going to miss 2013.”

I had to stop myself from saying, “Well I won’t” because a. I’m working on being a supportive mom, b. he was tired, and c. I wasn't exactly sure why I wouldn't miss it.

Last year has a special place in my life timeline, especially in the world of writing, but also in my personal life. As I have said about 100 times, I found MY agent, who is awesome. I even got a couple book offers as the year closed out. I started another book that has me excited to get back to it and I think I've finally found my “voice” for writing.

The kidlets have both reached the age of conversation with me, but also with each other. They’re so close together in age that I swear they speak a language I don’t understand. My husband says they speak boy. Mystery solved. In addition to having chats, I am seeing their wonderful and very different personalities starting to come into their own and yes, I have my hands full.

Life wasn't always great this year. There was enough family drama to kill a camel, but still, that didn't answer the question of why I was glad the New Year had finally arrived. And then it hit me.

 

I wasn't happy 2013 was over. I was excited that 2014 was here. This is a big year for me. I turn 40. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I have earned every wrinkle laugh line and have some pretty great adventures in my scrapbook. Did I mention that a childhood dream of becoming a published author will be coming true this fall. What? I have? Get used to it. I have lots of self-promotion plans in the works.

But even more than these two moments, I think, for the first time, I am excited about the unknown. This is indeed very odd for me as I am a girl who needs a plan. I don’t really care if the plan gets pulled off perfectly, but for the love of everything that is holy, I need a plan.

That being said, I am looking forward to the unknown. Of celebrating the successes of my friends and knowing that, while not everything works out the way we want it to, there is always a plan. So good-bye 2013. It has been a year worth remembering, but not one worth crying over. It is the past and I am a better person because of it, but it does not define me or any of us.

And before I go, I realize that there have been one or two Downton Abbey-esque phrases turned here or there, and for that, you are welcome, but remember, no matter what life throws at you, BE BRAVE. (Yes, BE PASSIONATE has been retired for 2014.)