Little Susie

I know a lot of people who reflect on their lives at the turn of the year, but I always find I do that when I turn a year older. Maybe it’s because no one is talking about it, or maybe it’s just the time I like to think about where I’ve been and ponder where I may be headed.

This past year was one of change, in many ways. But it was a good year and one in which I pushed myself to try and do a lot of new things. I spoke at my first conference and didn’t faint or say anything too stupid, which was my bar for success. I was also profitable for the first time ever in my business, a huge change from other times I’ve tried to freelance. G and I became amateur astronomers, so we spent a lot of time looking up and getting out of the city.

But it wasn’t all perfect, and the worry about where the next project will come from is with me pretty much constantly—I’m learning to cope with that. Also, I learned a great deal about working with clients and how to make sure I’m a good fit for a project.

But there are some things during the year that didn’t change. Our little house and neighborhood is still my favorite place on Earth to be. G is still the person who can make me laugh the hardest no matter what is going on in our lives. And I’m grateful, in the past year more than ever, for friends near and far who support me in it all; some of whom I’ve never even met in person.

It’s good to remember that I have a lot to be grateful for and this year, that’s exactly what I’m doing. As a bonus, here’s me as a little one, with my bestest friend growing up. A poodle who was incredibly dumb, but always gave me loving when I needed it, listened to all my secrets, and didn’t have a mean bone in her body.