Looking Forward

The new year stretches before me like a smooth, untraveled road. Okay, that sounds a little cliche, but that's how I envision it- as a long road bordered by various attractions. Here are just a few things I'm looking forward to:

1. The publication of An Eyeball in My Garden, a collection of spooky poems written by the members of The Poets Garage, published by Marshall Cavendish. The official publication date is July 15th and we're so very excited. Johan Olander is the marvelous illustrator and Laura Wyncoop and Jennifer Judd our editors.

2. Retiring from teaching. It's early, but I can do it. While I love the kids and the books and believe strongly in the power of books and teachers to shape young lives, apparently our district doesn't feel quite the same way. Librarians seem to be expendable. I don't like working in 3 different schools for people who don't seem to feel that a library is important. So, this is the year - I think. I haven't made an official announcement yet, but I'm 99% certain.

3. Attending art school. If Robert has room in his atelier, I'll be studying art this fall. I may have to wait a bit, though, until he has an opening. That's okay. At least I'll be able to take an art class during the day instead of in the evening when I'm tired.

4. Writing, writing, writing. I want to write a collection of poems, some picture books and more novels. I have in mind a story about growing up in Motown and a few other ideas I'm excited about.

5. Running. If my poor feet can handle it, I'd like to run a half marathon. We'll see.

6. Travelling. Husband and I want to see something of the world - Greece, Italy, England and Spain. The world beckons.

That's my short list. What are you looking forward to in 2010?

2010

Happy New Year, everybody! The new decade is upon us, and how happy I am! The past decade was a toughie and in so many ways I'm glad it's behind me. Still, I cherish all my memories of my kids growing up. There were times when I grumbled about having to attend 3 or 4 winter concerts in one season, about weekend long wrestling tournaments spent sitting on hard bleachers, about too much time spent chauffeuring my kids to cello lessons and violin lessons, to orchestra rehearsals and Boy Scout meetings. About too little time for me. Still, looking back at it all now, I wouldn't change a thing. Our "boys" are now young men, off on their own and living in their own apartments, forging a life for themselves. If we do our job right, wrote Neil Gaiman, they leave us (not his exact words).

Yet I did make some time for myself. When I turned 40, I bought a gym membership and began working out. I built muscles I never knew possible. And it felt good. I also began taking drawing classes, something I have never regretted. I discovered I still loved to draw and found it relaxing, yet challenging. I still take drawing classes. Somebody who's proficient at his/her craft is forever a student of it. Or so I believe.

And if I hadn't spent all those hours sitting on the bleachers during my son's wrestling tournaments, I may not have found my way back into writing. Out of boredom, I began to compose poems during those tournaments. It helped pass the time. And after years of reading tons of children's books to my kids as well as my students, I decided to try writing my own. All those years of reading had developed my feel for plot, characterization, and setting. In short, for story.

Life is too brief to spend it regretting the past. All we can do is to make the best of what's happened and look forward to the future.