The End of 2021

Happy New Year, friends. Thanks for reading. Let’s swing into 2022 like Spider-Man through the steel canyons of Manhattan.

Despite starting out in the midst of a pandemic that resulted in (and continues) needless deaths, an insurrection at the nation’s capital, and further deep divisions along political lines, 2021 has been a good year for me personally. Maybe that’s selfish. There’s a lot wrong with [gestures at everything] – yeah, but it’s not wrong to be pleased with personal progress. (I do try to help others as much as I can.) So, selfish, yeah, but not wrong.

 

I wrote a short story that I’m very proud of and am still seeking a home for. I continued my seemingly perpetual educational journey and graduated with my associate’s degree (with President’s honors) in May. I wrote 33,000 words of a novella before moving on to pursue my bachelor’s. I took out student loans. Three books came out in July. I appeared at Planet Comicon while working full-time and taking classes. My grades remain ridiculously high. My wife still loves me. My son visits every so often.

 

The highlights are pretty high, I think. I don’t dwell on the negative stuff, but there are things that will need my attention in the next few months. All of it can be handled. Even the times when I wasn’t sure of myself, or when I was scared or overwhelmed or lonely. My psyche is capable of processing fear and anguish, but the coping mechanism is to eat that stuff away, or drink it. I know I’ve got work to do. Writing helps, so does walking. In November my body tried to kill me again, and now we know how that needs to be dealt with.

But the good stuff is GREAT. I got to see friends I hadn’t seen in almost two years at Planet. I began a professional partnership with my good friend Rob Schamberger. I am supported by a wonderful group of fellow creatives who know when to push me and when to let me alone. It feels like I might be near the top of whatever game I’ve got, but I know there’s more over the horizon. I’m aiming to get there and to celebrate that when I do.

 

I can’t do everything. A dear friend tells me that and then goes on to say that just because you can’t do everything it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything. That applies to so many pieces of my world I can’t even begin to count them. An acquaintance says that in the end all that matters is how we treat each other and I agree with that, too. If we are all doing something and treating each other with respect and empathy, love when we can, then the world is going to be better. Slow and steady wins the race.

 

So for 2022, I wish you luck and love and all the good things. Do something you haven’t done before and try to make it worthwhile. Be kind, especially in your various communities. Small acts have big ramifications.

 

Happy New Year, friends.