It's Another Year and Although My Eyes Aren't What They Used to Be - Here's to 2020 Vision

It's my traditional good-bye to one year and welcoming to another. As I put together the 2019 montage, I realized that it truly was a chrysalis-sort-of year, where my Louisville, Syracuse and Connecticut life have come together to produce what it was meant to be - a fusion of Brown School, family, mentorship, a PhD in Literacy and the influence of so many on my world. I am, because we are. The video is proof of it.

And so we're on another calendar and for this reason, a simple one, I thought it best to have bring Calendric Crandall to a 20/20 vision for the 13th year of blogging. At this point, writing each night before I go to bed so a posting will be ready in the morning is sort of like brushing my teeth and breathing - it's a habitual way of staying alive.

There was much that was exceptional in 2019 in both good and bad ways. The good is that I was introduced to a number of new people through speaking engagements and experiences. The bad is that human beings continue to be what human beings are. I try to choose good and a belief in love. I work daily to rid the anger and hatred that is so evident in so many. I prefer a calmer life.

So, I'm thinking about the year that just was, and making a top-twelve list for what was most influential and enlightening to my world (one for every month on the calendar - get it? Calendric Crandall?).

• In January, One Book/One Town was announced and I was finally given permission to blabber the fact that Harbor Me and The Day You Begin were chosen as a community read.
• In February, Abu, Allison Fallon, and I went to NCTEAR to present work on #PensInTheHandsofWriters (sadly, Beth Boquet fell ill). We went to share our thinking, but left stunned and educated by the hard work of Tonya Perry and her people in Alabama - an amazing experience that will be remembered forever.
• In March, I traveled to a TESOL conference for the first time where I presented on Ubuntu Academy and work with refugee youth during an invitational panel - met many academic heroes there.
• Ah, the Laurie Halse Anderson event! 
• My Adirondack Chairs and Discovering Scary Pockets (Thanks, Leo)
• Visiting Susan James in Pensacola and meeting her writing project site.
• Another successful summer institute in CT.
• Celebrating the life of Aunt/Cousin Joni
• Presenting The Superpower of Hope as a keynote address.
• Recognition by the Coalition of Community Writing for Ubuntu Academy
• 10th Year of Writing Our Lives Work - Woot Woot!
• And the 1st Crandall sibling turns 50...Congratulations, Ballz!

As I scrambled through the cocoon of last year, I realized MUCH happened (probably too much) and I haven't really take the time to process it all. Perhaps that's why this year, 2020, I'm hoping to harness the vision a little more effectively. 

Here's to the year. I look forward to every second of it!