What’s Next?

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Happy New Year! Happy 2022!

I escaped to the beach for the week between Christmas and New Year’s. I had no set intentions other than to get away by myself, sit on the beach, read, and eat. The weather cooperated beautifully, so I was able to accomplish those goals.

I met up for dinner with an old friend on New Year’s Eve Eve. Over steamed shrimp, she asked me what I had learned in 2021. I was stumped, but eventually stammered out something about my new grandchild. She, in turn, gave a thoughtful assessment of her 2021. Evidently, she had been doing some reflection and was ready with an answer.

Then she asked me about the upcoming year, 2022. What was I looking forward to, what were my goals? Again, I was caught off guard, having not really thought about any of this yet.

People do that though, right? The new year is a good time to take stock of what has been and look forward to what will come. Harvey and I use to review the year on New Years Eve, and sometimes, though not as often, discuss our goals for the upcoming year.

I haven’t done that since he became ill or after his death. Maybe it was too painful to sit with all that had happened and all that might happen, preferring to live more in the moment.

The year 2021 has been eventful for me, once I really stop and look at it.

The most exciting family event was the birth of my first grandchild on July 5. I thoroughly enjoyed watching my daughter’s pregnancy and how she handled it with grace and strength. It was a pleasure to see my son-in-law care for my daughter with love and patience. We spent the Fourth of July together at my sister’s pool, and the next day, Hazel was born!

In October, after their parental leave ended, I began Hazel-sitting 20 hours a week. My daughter’s in-laws moved to Birmingham on a long-term lease and are with Hazel the other 20 hours. “Sitting” is really not the right term. Hazel loves the outdoors, so we take walks. A lot!

I didn’t travel as much as I had hoped in 2021, but I did manage a two week stay at isolated Indian Pass, FL in February. I had a glorious week at the end of May in the North Carolina mountains driving and hiking. After a third rescheduling, my mother, my sisters, and I took a cruise on the Danube in August.

My “work” as an author and speaker continued into 2021 despite COVID. I spoke at virtual and live events, was interviewed for print and podcasts, and participated in book signing events. I had two essays and one story published, and the memoir continues to sell and touch lives. I am amazed by the reach it has had, and I am humbled by the responses I continue to get.

Looking ahead to 2022 is exciting.

I get to watch Hazel continue to grow and learn. I have tentative speaking engagements lined up. A family trip to ski to Utah is scheduled, and a trip to the Holy Lands was rescheduled from January to November. And I’d like to get away to the mountains again.

But the biggest upcoming event is in ten days. My youngest daughter is getting married, and if we manage the virus in an intelligent manner, it promises to be a wonderful time. Even if plans have to be altered, I am thrilled for them both to journey the rest of their lives together.

But I’ve been putting off writing about what I think about most often—what’s next? The year 2022 seems like a good time to take stock. I’ve tended to have a project to work on, and the book and the ensuing work after it was published has been very rewarding, but what is next?

What am I compelled to do? Nothing seems to be speaking to me right now. I continue to enjoy writing, so maybe I should try writing a novel? Maybe a collection of essays about nature?

I had a list of things that I wanted to try in retirement, but they seem silly and self-indulgent now. But I also don’t want to commit to something big that takes a lot of my time and energy.

I have the feeling that many people my age have these same musings. I’ve retired early enough that I still have good health and energy to stay engaged in the world. But engaged in what?

I keep thinking that something will present itself. A door will open. A still small voice will whisper the answer. I need a sign! Or a good life coach.

In the meantime, I’ll continue to live in the moments that present themselves, keeping my eyes, my ears, and my heart wide open. It’s all any of us can do, really.