2014 Can Go Poop On Itself

This has been a rough year, the roughest in memory for me for quite a while. My brother, whom I love a lot, was hit by a car and almost killed, his neck was broken, and I had to do a lot of his care even now (which is what family is supposed to do, not complaining, but it has been a lot of worry).

Both our beloved dogs died, at age fifteen, a couple weeks apart.

Batgirl.

Our house was robbed last month while I was coming home from a convention and they trashed the place.

And my son was the victim of an apparent gay-bashing attack (even though he’s not gay).

There have been some other things, as well. 

I know a lot, a LOT of people have it worse than we do. We have a home and an income. But between these things and my work and convention appearance schedule, I have never felt stretched quite so thin. The last month has been particularly difficult to get my writing groove back. I write, and I am happy with what I am writing, but I am writing much more slowly for some reason, than usual.

So this has been an emotionally draining year. Again, I know a lot of you have it worse, so I do feel bad for complaining.

BUT.

One thing I have been able to count on over and over again was the kindness and support of readers, especially here and on twitter and at appearances. Hearing you guys talk about comics and your love of our nerdy culture, and the characters we both love, and all your cosplay photos and corny jokes and silly, wonderful comedy has meant so much to me. I can’t explain it.

I know I have talked about this before. But during this holiday as with ALL holidays, I am very, very grateful to have you in my life. I live in the boonies, I work weird hours, I’m not very social. So you weirdos take up some of the slack. :)

And I love you for it. THANK YOU!

PS. If you had a shitty year, let’s wave it goodbye and move on to an undoubtedly better 2015!  :)