Every December, someone tells me they’ll be glad when the year is over. The first thought is always, ‘It’s not the year. It’s life.’ But this one has been a doozy. Yes, positive strides are in evidence, yet the daily combo of backsliding, global suffering, ecological disasters, fear, violence, and ridiculous politics hover over our collective heads like an iron clad cloud.
With plenty to be thankful for, I do not dare tally up the number of deaths in my little orbit these past twelve months: young, old, disease, natural causes, suicide, the passing of a mentor, and a pedestrian mowed down by a truck. Plus, 2017 marks the disintegration of more than one personal relationship.
Since August, I’ve been on a break from Wild Nature of New York. Along with grim reality, my silence came from facing the indulgence factor in personal writing. All creative energy was funneled into the renovation of my apartment. And in every dusty step I thought about what to write next: articles on healing and well-being, a fictionalization of the life and untimely death of my sister Gretchen, a collection of essays for a book, and too many other ideas to list.
By now, I, too, am relieved to say goodbye to 2017. And it was just last night while talking to my writer friend, John Gibson, that I had a breakthrough. In conversation about politics and journalism, I said, “I’s time to create a new reality.”
To start, inspired by a book John gave me for Christmas, I’ll publish the first piece in a new series next weekend. And oh, what a relief it is. Whether my new works are on the personal as universal, fiction, essays, or journalism, writing is the blood of my being. It’s as inevitable and necessary as the coming of 2018.
Wishing all of you a happy and healthy New Year, Stephanie
Wild Nature of New York 
Hallo! From the New Reality.
LikeLike
Happy New Year Stephanie. I look forward to reading your work in 2018.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Denise, and Happy New Year to you!
LikeLike
So well said Stephanie. It has been a ridiculously difficult year!!! I am sorry for all of your losses. Wishing you and everyone A happier 2018 . Love Saundra
>
LikeLike
Thank you, Saundra! Wishing you and everyone, all of us, the world, the same
LikeLike
I wish you the most beautiful of times in 2018. I love that as time marches on old wounds become scarred over as distant memories of soul searching times fade from being a sharp jab to our psyche. Our hearts open more, we can stop and look at the profoundness of beauty that is right there on a daily basis to keep us going. I consider myself so incredibly fortunate to have such a beautiful friend in you Stephanie, always with such grace, dignity and possessing the gift of seeing beauty in this life. I look around at the hideousness of politics that makes all sane people who just want to live a good life cringe at the path we are on like it or not. What I look forward to with great gusto in 2018 is reading your new thoughts, always so remarkable, poignant and deeply appreciated.
LikeLike
Thank you, Dixie. I feel the same and wish you a wonderful 2018.
LikeLike
Wishing you a wonderful 2018 my friend. Think of you often and hope our paths will cross again sometime soon. 🙏💚
LikeLike
You too, Fiona. Hope your new life suits you I do hope we meet agaun soon.
LikeLike
Stephanie, so very sorry to read about the passing of your beloved sister and your other personal tragedies in 2017. It has been much too long. Your apartment must be beautiful! So glad to see that you are writing, and hopefully healing again, as so many of us have missed that! Fondly, Bruce
LikeLike
Hi Bruce! My sister’s death (by fire) was 14 years ago. But she was a facinating person, troubled in many ways, as smart as anyone I’ve ever known, made bad decisions, and would be an incredible character for a book. Thank you for reading and writing. happy New Year to you. Hope all is well.
LikeLike