2012 in the rearview mirror

by Kris Neri

My December is as busy as anyone else’s — well, actually, being in retail, my December is totally insane, especially the last few days before Christmas (Shop earlier, people!)! And yet, at some point before the end of the year, I like to take a gander back over the year just ending, noting the high points that deserve an extra measure of gratitude, and some the areas I might want to shore up in the year ahead.

To be honest, I take my December process of looking back more seriously than I do January’s resolutions. Although I do often set some January goals, I’m ambivalent about the whole resolution process, and all the attention we pay it. Mostly, I believe that life should dictate when we made important changes, not the calendar. It is, after all, just another day. Besides, how often do we follow through with them? My own track record of January resolution-change isn’t that great.

In the rearview mirror, 2012 has been a mostly wonderful year for me and mine, and I’d like to share a few of the more notable points with you.

On the career front, I’m absolutely thrilled that my last Samantha Brennan and Annabelle Haggerty magical mystery, MAGICAL ALIENATION, recently became a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award winner in the fantasy category. That I love the Southwest, the part of the country in which I live, and that this award is given on behalf of my home state and another of my absolutely favorite states, makes it an extra special milestone for me.

 In the health arena, things haven’t been as good as usual. In June, when I fell off a ladder (watch where you’re stepping!), I sprained all the joints on the right side of my body, my wrist, my knee, and my ankle. Tracy, the protagonist of my Tracy Eaton mysteries often says, “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing—that’s my motto.” Apparently, it’s also mine.

My wrist healed fairly quickly, so I guess it wasn’t hurt too badly. I felt especially grateful for that, since I didn’t lose too much writing time. My ankle followed the average sprain trajectory. However, my knee’s healing has proven to be a challenge. Its healing has actually been so slow, I often feared I’d be living with this one for a very long time, if not forever. Now I’m thrilled to report that it recently took a major leap in the right direction. Most days the worst I feel is discomfort, not pain, and on some days, it’s no more than a whisper of an ache. I take that as a sign that this injury is finally in the home stretch, and I probably won’t have to wait too much longer until it’s gone entirely from my life. I’m sighing deeply with relief over this one. If I ever step onto another ladder (highly unlikely!), I vow to make sure it's feet are securely positioned on the floor.

I’m also enormously grateful for my dog Annabelle’s ongoing health. She was diagnosed with lymphoma in October 2009. After six months of treatments that cost more than gold, her cancer was found to be in remission. I’m thrilled to report that it still is. If there’s one thing a serious illness teaches us, it’s to appreciate every day we get. I know how lucky we are to have enjoyed another 365 days with our precious fur baby.

Lastly, I’m happy to report that I’ve lost 25 pounds this year. It might sound as if I’m shouting that from the rooftops, but I’m not really. I’ve ridden the weight loss/weight gain yoyo for much of my adult life. I seem to only have two modes, losing and gaining. I don’t seem to come with a maintenance switch.

Yet I’m cautiously optimistic this time. Dieting hasn’t felt quite as burdensome as it has during past yoyo rides. And given that my losing period has largely overlapped the time when I’ve been injured, which dramatically reduced my exercise, which should have made it harder, not easier. Now, I secretly hope that I’m finally figuring out how to get off the yoyo

But…even if I am ambivalent about making reservations, you can bet that “maintain weight loss” will top my list.

How about you? What’s most memorable for you about the year just ending? What are you grateful for?

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons!

Comments

[STEFANIE STOLINSKY, Ph.D.]

Stay off them ladders!!!
Merry Christmas, Happy New year. Okay, I know the real grammar is "those" ladders---but the other sounds better!!

[Mary]

That's wonderful that your knee is finally better, Kris. And Annabelle's continued good health is definitely something to be thankful for!

[krisneri]

Stefanie, I like "them ladders" better, too. Whenever I see one, I hold out crossed index fingers, even though I know it was my own haste and clumsiness that caused this. Thanks for your good wishes. Hope your 2013 is absolutely grand!

[krisneri]

Thanks, Mary. I am very grateful. Wishing you great things in the New Year.