I just realized. This week marks one year since I literally first stepped foot in NYC.
A lot has happened in this last year. In fact, I’d wager that it has held the most changes and transitions in my life than any other year before it, including entering and leaving college.
Things that have happened in the past year:
I moved away from Colorado
I went through a summer intensive graduate program at NYU
I sold my first short story, and several more following that one
I got a job at a publishing house
I got an agent for one of my novels
I got engaged
I got married
The wife and I moved into our new apartment
My agent left her agency, and so I am looking again
And today, I am celebrating a second birthday in NYC on this Friday. 24 years old. Yeesh.
Overall, it has been a wonderful year. There were certainly some struggle times, but for the most part, the memories made in this past year are ones that make me smile.
Other things have happened. My mother got rather ill. The oldest of my sisters had surgery after doing ministry in New Orleans along with our middle sister. My littlest sister graduated kindergarten. My dad’s family practice has been building up. There have been bumps along the way, but I thank God every day for all the love and opportunity and growth that has come into my life. I know growth can come through painful and darker times as well, and while that may yet come, I will savor this past year and look forward to the next one, wherever it may land me.
I see that smile.
Dude. That’s a lot of stuff to happen in one year. Lots of changes. Here’s hoping you have another good year, find that new agent, and keep aging so gracefully.
And happy birthday, too!
But, I gotta ask, your littlest sister? Kindergarten? So that makes her, what? 18 or 19 years younger? Dag. My littlest brother is 12 years younger than me, and I thought that was a gap.
Aging gracefully? From my view, I keep stumbling over these birthdays, stubbing my toe and looking around going…huh? How’d I get here?
Yup. The Littlest Sister (sounds like a children’s book, doesn’t it?)
She was the surprise caboose baby who is now six, going on seven. So that’s…yea, 18 years. I’m thankful I’ve managed to keep close to her, despite being away for college and then out to NYC. It’s kinda fun, because she’s also the inspiration for my mom’s book on late-in-life motherhood which is getting published in August.
“Baby Changes Everything.” Weird to see my mom’s name on Amazon, but cool too.
My wee brother was a surprise, too. Thus far I’ve been able to stay at home while going to college, so I’ve been able to watch him get all big and stuff. And annoy him, as is my solemn sisterly duty. Plus, staying home has provided me all sorts of blackmail material, like stories about his “strip and run around the house naked” phase or about the 3-month period when he declared himself Invader Zim. Reminding him of all that is always fun.
Oh, and I love the cover for your mom’s book. Very cute.