Closing the Book on 2024

My goodness, where did the year go?

It seems like it was yesterday that I was writing the first of these end-of-month newsletter posts. But eleven of them have come and gone and now we’re here for the last one of 2024.

Looking back on the year, it’d be easy to “see” all the things that I didn’t do with my writing that I thought I’d get done. My plans sort of unraveled like threads slowly pulling apart a rug on someone’s floor. You know, the threads where you think, ‘I can probably pull these off, no problem,’ but then half the rug is gone before you notice what you’ve done.

Sometimes the best laid plans…

But that’s a rather negative look on things, isn’t it? It’s an outlook, I think, that I’m not alone in falling into from time to time.

Instead of focusing on all the things that we didn’t do, why not take the end of 2024 to be thankful for all that we did do this year?

Yes, I have a stack of books (or two or okay, twelve) that are still unread, but I got through some great books this year. I’m hoping you did too.

Yes, I have projects that are still unfinished, some waiting eagerly and impatiently for me to continue working on them, but I did get some things checked off the list. Added some new things too. (Check out my 2024 Ebenezer Post if you’re curious!) I hope you checked some things off your list too.

Yes, there’s always more that can be done. More that I want to do. But it’s also an incredibly important time for me to stop, breathe, and say, “Thank you,” for all that I’ve been able to do this year.

So, thank you. Thank you for your support with my various writing projects! You don’t know how much it means to me that you’ve read these posts and short stories and books and stayed in this cozy corner of the internet for a few minutes of your time this year. I really appreciate you.

Looking ahead to 2025 for a brief moment, I’m going to do my best to keep putting new content out for you to enjoy each and every month (if not more frequently)!

I’m hoping that as you look back on 2024, you see all the things you’ve been able to do. I hope you see all the people who’ve helped and encouraged and supported you. And I hope they see you too.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not planning on staying up to ring in the new year. That being said, I’m looking forward to all the different things that I’ll Lord willing be able to do and look back on this time next year. I’m hoping you will too!

Until next year,

Al