Even if I wanted to, I know that being angry at 2020 wouldn’t be fair.

It was a rollercoaster of a year in which highs were barely scraping the former normal, yet the overwhelming feeling in my heart is that of gratitude.

2020 made me listen, and it forced me to learn. From the chaos and challenges, I feel stronger. More at peace. Happier with less.

As I wrote in my Instagram post yesterday, the 2021 version of me would not exist without going through all of 2020.

Today marks a new beginning.

Of course, nothing is really changing today, January 1, 2021. We will do best if we manage our expectations. Today and always.

Yet today briefly heightens that feeling of anticipation as I look at all the future tomorrows as if they were blank pages in a book, and imagine all the good that they might bring.

If you are anything like me, perhaps you remember that feeling of excitement on the first day of school. When all your pencils had pristine erasers, the book covers were as smooth as glass, and your brand new notebooks were ready to absorb your thoughts and newly discovered knowledge.

That’s how I feel today. Excited, and grateful.

Because without the unconditional support of many of you, the past year could have been much different. You inspired, encouraged, and motivated me to work through 2020; one day at a time. And looking back – however insignificant all those individual tiny steps seemed at the time – together they did, indeed, move me.

If you subscribe to my newsletter, you know I always whisper a Thank You whenever someone purchases one of my patterns. It has been so humbling to receive many more orders than I would expect in such a trying year. To each and every one of you – as loud as I can – THANK YOU.

Don’t get me wrong: I have no new plan. But I am eager to kick off the year a little differently: By planning a pop-up sale of some ready-made crochet goodies.

Mark your calendars for January 31, 2021. Or, better yet, sign up to receive a notification when the pop-up shop opens directly in your mailbox.

Some of the finished goods to look forward to: small storage baskets, karma necklaces, and rainbow wall hangings. In other words, all my favorite things.