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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Six Word Memoir for 2014

Here's my Six Word Memoir for 2014:

Bittersweet mystery fiddles with poet's heart.

This year held some wonderful and difficult moments -- as all years do. I was able to spend quality time with poets I adore and children I love, and I experienced some wonderful times with family... yet I've had to watch my father struggle mightily with the return of his cancer.

Amid some hard, fulfilling work writing and rewriting, I delivered to the world my 3rd book of poems for adults THE SKY BETWEEN US and my 1st book of poems for kids DEAR WANDERING WILDEBEEST and my first paperback DON'T FEED THE BOY... yet I've faced some crushing rejections this year. ('Tis the writer's life. Sigh.)

You may remember that I chose the world MYSTERY as my 2014 One Little Word. I have spent a lot of time dwelling in mystery, asking questions, allowing myself to be in transition instead of hurrying toward the quickest resolution. I've learned a lot about myself this year. (Check back Friday for my 2015 One Little Word!)

I started taking fiddle lessons this year, and it has brought all kinds of joy to my life. I made some important decisions about how to spend my time in ways that honor my true-est self, and I'm excited to see how those decisions play out in the year to come.

Something I'm proud of: I participated in #bloglikecrazy, during which I blogged every day during the month of November. This produced some unexpected writing, and some of my most honest writing. I am hoping to continue that kind of writing in 2015 --- though, no, I will not be blogging every day!

One of the highlights of my year was going to NCTE. I love this community of book lovers and poetry lovers. Also a highlight: New York City with my family. We've wanted to do that trip for SO LONG! I'm so grateful. I'm also grateful for the opportunity to share in the lives of our boys as they continue to grow and develop and become themselves.

What a year! What a life! Thank you for being a part of it. xo
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5 comments:

  1. TabathaDecember 31, 2014 at 2:18 PM

    I think that's the first photo of you with a fiddle that I've seen -- yay! Congratulations on your accomplishments, and best wishes to your father.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linda BJanuary 1, 2015 at 8:42 AM

    I had forgotten that this year also held your "sky" poetry book, so wonderful, Irene. And that you've started learning the fiddle is marvelous-great to access a new part of the brain. Best wishes to you in the new year, to your father and all of your family.

    ReplyDelete
  3. DoraineJanuary 1, 2015 at 2:42 PM

    I didn't know you had taken up the fiddle! How cool is that? Congrats on all your wonderful books. Wishing you a wonderful new year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amy LVJanuary 1, 2015 at 4:15 PM

    You and your fiddle are so beautiful together! How grateful I feel to be a part of your life, Irene. Much love to you and your family this year. xo

    ReplyDelete
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