2023, A year in review

 19th annual year in review. Getting closer to two whole decades of doing this!

What did you do in 2023 that you've never done before?

• Wrote and published a book!
• Started a PhD program
• Went to Canada
• Became a grandma or Lolli/Lala

Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?

I don't make resolutions. I utilize power words. Last year was "Just Be". I feel that was a hard one to not do. 

This year will be to "breathe" and "abide". I am claiming to abide by its definition of "to endure without yielding and to withstand". 

Did anyone close to you give birth? 

Yes! My own daughter gave birth to my first grandchild, Rowan Shephard!

Did anyone close to you die?

My uncle passed away last month. This was my mom's last brother. He was not in good health and was ready to go. 

What countries did you visit?

Yay, I get to answer this finally. I went to Vancouver, BC, Canada in October for a conference and it was amazing. I went alone, too! First time flying in over 25 years. 

What would you like to have in 2024 that you lacked in 2023?

I could always use more rest and peace. Overall, this year was a good year. I did find a name for the feeling I have every year right before New Year's. Neoannophobia, which is fear of the New Year. It sucks, but it fades in February. 

What date from 2023 will remain etched in your memory and why?

March 8th, exactly 9 months from the date of Kieran and Carson's wedding date, which was the date chosen last year. March 8th was when Rowan was born, but also the date I found out I got accepted to my chosen PhD program, which was highly competitive. I didn't think I would get in and when the email came through when we were at the hospital right before she was supposed to start pushing, I told myself that this was the ideal time to get a rejection because it would still be a good day. Surprisingly, I was accepted and started in the Fall, and have loved it so far. 

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

My book was a surprise that I didn't have planned. In January the idea came like a bolt of lightning when I was dealing with shutdown. I wrote the first draft in 5 weeks and developed some neck issues that caused me to have to go to a Chiro for a few months for PT. It was officially published in November. 

My PhD acceptance was another that I am very proud of. 

Also, getting bumped to Lolli is a good one!

Did you suffer illness or injury?

It's been a decent year with limited sickness. I had a cold when I got back from Vancouver. My mom who went with me to Denver, which I flew out of got Covid. I tested twice and was negative. And considering it was one of the lightest colds I have ever had I doubt it was it. I am thankful it's been a healthy year despite my slight neck injury writing too much in a short period of time. 

What was the best thing you bought?

Tuition, but my tribe is also helping cover it, which is an amazing blessing considering they rarely help with PhDs, I plan on incorporating some research for tribes in Oklahoma and wrote about that in my application. 

My tickets to Vancouver. I almost chickened out, especially when I realized I was the only one in my program going, but I did it and I am so glad I did. 

I paid for some services to help get my book published, including editing, formatting, and cover design. There was some stress involved with that whole process, but I made it work. 

Where did most of your money go?

Travel, books stuff, tuition, and a new grandbaby. And just recently a huge emergency vet bill, when our dog Poppi had an anaphylactic reaction to something this past week. We almost lost her and she is still recovering but doing much better. Will be paying that bill for a while. 

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

1st, New grandbaby. Of course, it took a second to adjust to the idea but soon into the pregnancy I became very excited. 

2nd, my PhD acceptance.

3rd, my book. 

What scripture is a theme of 2023?

1 John 4:16-18 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 15:12-13 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Corinthians 16:14 Do everything in love.

Colossians 3:14 Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly.

With all the hate and judgment many Christians throw around, I try and keep to the them of Love, which is who and what Jesus was. 

Compared to this time last year are you:

a. Happier or sadder? Because last year had its complications, I would say happier. I am still very much filled with gratitude and very content even on hard days. 

b. Thinner or fatter? I really don't know. In the spring I was not my healthiest and started trying to get back to where I needed to be in that. I lost about 15 pounds since then and I am still moving slowly, but moving. Since vacation started I have worked out most mornings. 

c. Richer or poorer? I believe richer, definitely in things other than money. Businesses are doing good but I slowed down on clients in the Fall to align with school work. This next semester I am taking 9 hours but due to recent vet emergency bills, I would say I am probably going to have to increase clients a bit. 

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Since my book was on shutdown prevention, I was trying to not be a hypocrite so much and take time for rest. I feel I did better this year on that, but always need to do more. 

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worrying and anxiety. But this is who I am and what my brain does. I cannot cure it. It is functional and I am able to push through it. 

How did you spend Christmas?

At home with just our 9. Christmas Eve was really nice, but Christmas was cold so I stayed in. 

Did you fall in love in 2023?

Yes, to a little baby boy named Rowan. 

What was your favorite TV show?

House of Dragon. Watching GOT finally now, just on season 1 though. 

What was the best book you read?

Without a doubt, Adam Grant's, Think Again. It was for school but OMG this book! I highly recommend it to anyone. I am reading his new book Hidden Potential, which follows a lot of the same topics. 

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2023? I am changing this to music that got me through 2023. 

Allman Brown's song Waiting for Something to Believe In, was the song that ignited my book idea. He was still my #1 artist on Spotify at the end of the year. 

Kristine DiMarco's song You Are My Country also touched me. 

I also had a playlist of several upbeat songs to motivate me anytime I needed it. 

What did you want and get?

• Grandbaby
• Accepted into my chosen PhD program.
• Published book. 
• Trip to Canada. 
• Even got a trip to Estes Park for the day with my mom, when we were in Denver for another conference of mine. 

What did you want and not get?

More rest. Less anxiety. 

What was your favorite film this year?

I didn't see a lot. Recently watched Hunger Games, Ballad of Songbirds, and Snakes, which I read when it first came out. It was really good.  

What did you do on your birthday?

I think we went out to eat and I got Crumbl cookies. 

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

It would have been nice if Poppi didn't get sick. I feel that kind of stuff is a given. 

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2023?

Fashionable comfortable work pants. Half-tucked sweaters. 

What kept you sane?

Time alone, prayer, God, hope, family. Same as the year before, but with some added motivational walks and reading. 

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Taylor Swift had a killer year and still impresses me. 

What political issue stirred you the most?

The ongoing wars and strife are killing me. Some other stuff that I try not to think about. 

Who did you miss?

Harley, still. 

Who was the best new person you met?

I met some amazing clients this year. Some helped me with ideas for my book. I also met some other autistic advocates online. 

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2023.

Don't discount yourself or what you're capable of. 

What is something shocking that happened this year?

The book thing is still surreal. So is the PhD acceptance. 

Since this was a pretty good year, my neoannophobia is higher because there is a part of me that fears next year will not be good. I pray that is not the case and my fears are unwarranted.