Linda Ulleseit

The turning of the old year into the new is always accompanied by a time of reflection. The past year, 2017, was a terrific year for me. In June, I completed my twentieth year of teaching with a great class, then got another great class come August. In July, I celebrated my 60th birthday by climbing Sentinel Dome in Yosemite with my husband. All year I worked on a massive cross-stitch project to present to my son and his new wife at their wedding in October. 2017 was a time of joyous celebration.

Looking forward, 2018 is a blank canvas. Our family has no milestones to commemorate and no plans for major events. In the scope of my life, it seems 2018 will be a filler year, one we get through on our way to something else–like retirement in 2019. It’s important, though, not to let even one day of any year slip by unnoticed. So for 2018, I plan to surround myself with people who love me and encourage the best out of me, and I won’t let anyone’s negativity derail me. I will finish my revision of Aloha Spirit and get a good start on my next novel because I truly enjoy writing. And if milestones happen along the way, I will experience them in the moment as part of a life filled with joy.

Wishing you and yours a year as happy as my 2017 was, and as promising as my 2018 looks.