Thinking ahead to the New Year

Years ago, I suggested at New Year's Eve dinner with my husband and our two grown kids that we make resolutions for the following year. This met with groans (especially seeing my pen and pad of paper in hand), but we began, going around and around the table. It was charming and challenging.

The following year, I pulled out that list. We laughed and groaned and gloated over resolutions kept, and those completely forgotten. And then we made resolutions for the year ahead...

Now we look forward to the tradition. (Our daughter shocked us all last year by saying that she was going to buy a house -- and she did!) I accomplished my most important goal: to finish the first draft of my next novel. Other goals — those having to do with exercise and weight control — have been, as always, sketchy. We'll cheer and moan over resolutions met or failed, and give careful thought voicing our intentions for the year ahead. I'm thinking about making the resolution to complete the second and third drafts. Gulp.


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