All of us of a certain age ask the same question this time of year. Where did the time go? Life flies by for us just when we finally can appreciate the glory and beauty around us, for those of us lucky enough to have the time and health to do so. I count my blessings every day. Healthy children and grandchildren, great lifestyle, and lots of love around me.
2015 was full of accomplishments for me. My third novel is finished and in the rewrite stage. My daughter, it turns out, is a great editor and has combed through the second rewrite and found grammar mistakes, misspellings, plot holes, and unnecessary paragraphs. It’s hard for an author to give up our precious words but her instincts are without any flaws. So I’m fixing the work according to her suggestions, mostly. I was in a hurry to get it out there but my wise daughter asks, “What’s your hurry?” And she’s right, better have the work be the best it can be than thrown out there. I also finished the first go around of making Walking with Elephants into an audible book. Fingers crossed it will be accepted by the audible company and sold on Amazon. It was quite fun to narrate and reminded me of just how good it is if I say so myself.
This year was also a landmark year in that my mother passed away. That inevitable truth waiting for us all that no one lives forever. At 97 years old, it seemed though that was possible for her, but when she fell and broke her ribs it was her death knell and it happened quickly after that. I showed my mother my love for her throughout her life, took her on trips after my father passed away many years ago, called her and visited her after she moved to Richmond to be near my brother and where senior residences were more affordable than in Brooklyn or New Jersey where I was living at the time. I like to believe that my mother is now together with my dad and they are happy to see each other again. Yes, it’s comforting to think that we continue in that other realm somehow. I try hard to believe that, it’s less scary. Just before she died, my mother seemed to be talking to someone. So maybe.
Now, I look forward to 2016. Hopefully, my third novel will find a home. I started my fourth novel and love the idea of it taking me on its unique journey. I also will try to drink more water and exercise. (My daughter’s admonishment in my ear to do so.) I hope my children achieve their goals. My opera singer/editor daughter in Germany was amazing singing Nella in Gianni Schicchi, which I was lucky enough to see last week and she hopes for more solo work. Go Julia Bell, I know you can do it. My son, Drew has many irons in the fire and I hope his commercial airing during the Super Bowl and real estate business will bring more ka-ching. But his riches are already there with his wife and my granddaughter, Ava. Go Drew! Ross, the eldest son who brought my darling granddaughter Madeleine to Germany with us, is gaining momentum in his lobbying business. Go Ross! My daughter Jenafer has moved into a beautiful home and got promoted–keep living the life with my adorable handful grandson, Finn. Go Jen!
For all you followers of this blog, may you stay happy, healthy, and find joy in just being alive. Grab on to your lives and its unique, too brief special journey. Make it full of love and cherished memories. Here we come 2016!
