2016 has been one amazing, crazy, roller coaster year; not just for me personally, but the events of this year will have a profound effect on our nation and the world. Here’s the quick and dirty run-down of some of the highlights or lowlights (depending on your perspective):
- A number of actors, athletes, celebrities and political figures died including: David Bowie, Prince, Alan Rickman, Muhammad Ali, George Michaels, Harper Lee, Fidel Castro, Leonard Cohen, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds and Bob Denver.
- Terrorist killed innocent men, women and children in Brussels, Belgium; Paris and Nice, France; Lahore, Pakistan; and Aleppo, Syria.
- The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union.
- Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party in the United States.
- Despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton, billionaire Donald Trump was elected president of the United States.
- The Chicago Cubs broke a 108 year losing streak and won the World Series of Baseball.
- The Olympics were held in Rio, Brazil.
Many of the events listed above were tragic but didn’t necessarily have a direct impact on me personally. I felt sad when movie icons I admired died, but I didn’t know them personally. However, some of the events touched me more than others, like the Olympics. I’m going to confess a secret. I LOVE the Olympics. Some might say I’m obsessed with them. I watch everything. That’s not bad, right? Unfortunately, my Olympic obsession takes a darker side and I become irrationally competitive. I want total domination of every medal in every event. The United States did well and our athletes brought home a lot of medals. Apart from one small scandal involving some swimmers in a drunken brawl at a gas station and some bad-natured trash talking by a soccer player, the games were a big success. However, there were events that happened in 2016 that didn’t make major news and don’t affect anyone other than me and my small circle of friends and family. However, since this is my blog, I’m going to tell you about them.
- I signed a three book contract with Kensington Publishers for the first three books in my Mystery Bookshop Mystery Series.
- My dog, best friend, and long time companion for the past 17 years, Coco Chanel died.
- My other dog, Show Me the Money (aka Cash), had surgery to remove cataracts on both eyes (yep – that’s what I spent my advance money on from the book contract).
- I completed two books (books 2 and 3 in the Mystery Bookshop Mystery series).
2016 got a lot of bad press. In Tennessee there was drought, wild fires, and tornadoes. It’s easy to focus on the negative. However, there were positive things that happened this year too and I am thankful for little things. I’m thankful for books, movies (Rogue One and Fantastic Beasts). I’m thankful for time spent with my family and friends. I’m grateful to have a job, food, clothing, shelter and health. I spent Christmas with my dad and was proud to show him my first book cover. Those are memories that will stick with me for many years to come. Good or bad. Rain or shine. I’m thankful for all of the many blessings that I’ve had in 2016 and I’m looking forward to all that the New Year will bring.