Checking in at the end of the year

Here we are at the end of 2014. I’ve been away from this blog for the last six months, and I’ve missed it (and you, dear audience).  There was no sinister reason for the lack of blogging, just a need to keep my public online presence focused on other things than my personal ramblings. Also, life was a little busy. Busy with what, you ask? Well, here’s a brief list in loose chronological order:

• Went to Montreal for the first time
• took a 6 month break from being president of the riding association
• thought about running in the federal election, decided against it
• mourned the loss of my dear wife’s grandfather Bud.
• took a whirlwind family trip to Thunder Bay for Easter
• worked as a campaign manager in the provincial election
• put up signs for a successful municipal Councillor campaign
• ran my own campaign for school board trustee (didn’t win, but that’s how it goes)
• worked on a massive and immensely rewarding media project with a great local company
• lost a friend to cancer
• went to Markham for the first time
• went to Hamilton for the first and second time
• finished the first draft of my next novel
• played Santa for school kids
• rediscovered how poorly suited I am for skating (WEAK ANKLES! HATRED OF FALLING!)
• maintained sobriety for 16th consecutive year

And that’s just what I can remember off the top of my head. As I get back into the swing of things, I’ll blog about many of these experiences in more detail. But for now, I want to appreciate the scope of what I achieved this year. More importantly, I want to thank everyone for their support, encouragement and faith. My lovely wife Kristen is the foundation of all that support and I am a better man because of her strength, compassion and love. My friend Todd who kept asking me throughout the busy year “how’s the writing going?” with just the right tone of excitement and anticipation in his voice. My friend Emily who might have been more thrilled about the next book being finished than I was. My friend Nick who gave me the biggest challenge that I have faced in a long time. And dozens of other people who have come into my life and been a part of this amazing journey. Thank you everyone.

What’s ahead in 2015? If recent history is any kind of indicator, 2015 will be all over the map. My goal is to keep moving the ball a little further down field with every adventure, and get a little bit better with each step. As for formal New Year’s resolutions, I’m going to stick with one: I will not wear light coloured slacks with black suit jackets in 2015.

Happy New Year!