Look Forward, Backward in December — Part I
Every year is different. For the most part, I’ve really enjoyed this year. As I look back, it’s been one of the best three years that I can remember of my life. Well, maybe five. I don’t know, I only know it’s been one of the best. How do you evaluate “best?” Happy, healthy, fulfilled, and thankful—that’s how I grade one of the best years of my life. #LookForwardBackwardinDecember #amwriting @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Last year at this time, I was saying “what a difference a year makes!” Because the last five months of 2016 were pretty crappy. I’ve alluded to that string of disappointments. And 2017 was no cake walk…with two flu bouts, two teeth extractions, and two root canals. And much pain when eating.
But this year has been lovely. I’m “in school” again to prepare for my “next step” so to speak. I think you all know I’ve struggled all my life with rejection issues. You can read about it in my “APD” series on this blog from the beginning of 2017. Here’s the link. https://donnalhsmith.com/2017/01/24/intro-to-apd-part-i/#more-2043
I got to teach writing five different places. In April, I got to speak locally, at our Lancaster Christian Writers (LCW) Super Saturday. I was a last-minute replacement, but I sure enjoyed it. In July, I taught an Early Bird workshop and a Continuing Session at Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. Wow, did I have fun with that! I spoke twice in September, once in Virginia and again at LCW. In November, a different place in Virginia.
My birth mother loved swans and collected them.
In April, I became the Managing Editor of Almost an Author. That was a pretty big deal, and one of the reasons I was able to expand my speaking engagements. Here’s that website if you want to check it out. www.almostanauthor.com. (A3) We were listed in two different Top 100/101 Best Websites for Writers this year (as we have been for the last couple of years). A3 continues to stretch and change columnists and subjects offered.
I gave my testimony in my new uncle’s church in northwest Pennsylvania. I met my Uncle Rudy Rimer for the first time this past May. He’s a brother of my birth mother, and it was a pleasure meeting him, presenting writers’ workshops and giving my testimony in his church service Sunday morning. I had a wonderful time.
My debut novel, Meghan’s Choice made the finals of two prestigious writing contests—the Selah and the Will Rogers Medallion Award. The Selah is presented at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, and the Will Rogers at a special banquet. Both awards were certificates, suitable for framing. I framed the Selah, and I’m waiting for a corrected Will Rogers (there was a typo).
And…Rose’s Redemption was released just about three weeks ago. We plan to enter her into some contests too, to see how she does.
At any rate, what has your year been like? Has it been great, like my year? Or have you had a really hard year, like my 2016-2017? Leave a comment and let me know. Looking backward on this year can give you a perspective you may never have thought of before. #LookForwardBackwardinDecember #amwriting @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Donna L.H. Smith 
I was able to be at the birth of my second grandson, Josiah Alexander Giermek, on November 2nd of this year. It was divinely arranged! I was supposed to be babysitting grandson #1 but missed the phone call the night before. So while he was in preschool, I raced to the hospital to be with my daughter in law. We didn’t know the baby’s gender or name beforehand. My daughter in law’s mother wasn’t able to get there until the day following. Josiah was born about 90 minutes after I got to the hospital. He was a tiny thing, weighing in at just 5 lbs, 12 ounces. He was 3 weeks early, you see. He turned one month old this past Sunday. He’s gained 2 lbs in only one month, praise the Lord! And he recognizes Grammie’s voice already! He’s already smiled at me a couple of times! So sweet!
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Aw, that’s precious Dorothy! God is so very good, and we never know what He has for us next! 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment!
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