This post won't be about resolutions for the new year, because I stopped making resolutions ages and ages ago. I could never stick with them. Sure, I make lists (I love lists!). And I set realistic goals for myself (write my second novel, read at least 100 books). I just don't resolve to do things that I know darn well I won't do, like eat fewer sweets and read more nonfiction. Because I know I'll fail.
So instead, let's take a quick look back at 2010 and a peek forward to 2011.
What did you accomplish in 2010? Was it a good year for you or a lousy year? When you think about it, a year that began with a devastating earthquake in Haiti (from which they're still recovering) and included
the worst oil spill in world history couldn't be a good year.
Could it?
Well for me personally, one thing trumped everything else this year. My older son survived cancer. With chemo behind him, he graduated from college and got on with his life. His six-month follow-up PET scan in August was clear. YAY!!!
Everything else good that happened in 2010 pales in comparison. Yes, I read more than 100 books.* Yes, I finished writing my first novel (that I started 2 years before). Yes, I "won" PiBoIdMo, coming up with 30 new picture book ideas that will keep me busy for at least a year, along with the new novel I'm just starting. Yes, I maintained this blog and "met" myriad other wonderful bloggers. Yes, my five-year follow-up MRI showed no new brain aneurysms (Yay!).
And of course good things happened to friends and family too. Someone got engaged. Someone got an agent. Someone found a job after six months of searching.
Woo hoo!!
But when it comes down to it, being a Mom is the most important career I'll ever have. If you're a parent, you'll understand why nothing else matters as much as this. The fact that my son is still with us (and writing a novel of his own) in 2011 is a pretty amazing thing. Here's to you, Eric!
*This is a link to the first 49 books I read in 2010. And here's my post about books 50-99. What did I read next?
100. The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin -- Josh Berk
101. Anna and the French Kiss -- Stephanie Perkins
102. The Lying Game -- Sara Shepard
103. Sapphique -- Catherine Fisher
104. The Alchemyst -- Michael Scott
105. The Star Maker -- Laurence Yep
No, I didn't beat my personal record of 107 books read in 2009. But at least I read more than 100 books. Good enough. There were some truly memorable books published in 2010. And I'm willing to bet that 2011 will be a good year for kidlit too.
A quick look ahead at books I'm reading or intend to read soon:
What wonderful things do you want to remember about 2010? And what books are you looking forward to devouring in 2011?
I second your thought that being a mom trumps every other job I have ever had. And I am so very happy to hear that news about your son. I will keep you all in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI just pre-ordered Across the Universe by Beth Revis and I also can't wait for Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris and The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roeker.
I am right in the middle of Calpurnia Tate, too, and just LOVING it.
ReplyDeleteNice to see that you've had a fantastic year, especially all the good health. Here's to a great 2011!!
Katharine, thanks and that's cool that you're reading Calpurnia Tate at the same time! Hope you have a wonderful 2011 too!
ReplyDeleteKate, thanks for the prayers. I knew you'd understand -- you have sons too. I'm really looking forward to Lisa and Laura Roecker's book since I'm a big fan of their blog. It's coming in March! Not long now. Bad Taste in Boys looks cool too (and I occasionally read Carrie Harris's blog!) but we have to wait for July for that. And Across the Universe has gotten tons of buzz. One of the other booksellers snagged the ARC before I could, so I haven't been able to read it yet, but it's definitely on my list.