Hard to believe that it’s the last day of my year. Tomorrow, I turn 63.

A lot of milestones for me in Groon 62. (Groon 62 = Feb. 22, 2025 to Feb. 21, 2026)

The best one? Our first grandchildren were born in Groon 62. Both were in December. Atlas and Helena. About three weeks apart. And in separate parts of the country.

We managed to see them both in person before they were each a month old. Such a gift.

I ran the Around the Bay road race again. And I managed to shave off 37 minutes from my 2024 time!! Proud of that accomplishment!

It was also nice to celebrate post-run with my daughter and her boyfriend. They ran too and much faster than me. We were hobbling afterwards, but happy.

I played Bob in the play Things I Know to be True. Not only was it the best work I’ve ever done on stage, but it was also a great show to be part of. From cast to crew, a great experience.

I also had a small part in Twelve Angry Men. Which was also a strong show. And a great group of folks to work with.

I visited with friends and family. In person and online. We went to my niece’s wedding and got to hang out in an Airbnb with the guzzards. We saw Caileigh and Kate with their pregnant bellies. And visited with my siblings and their kids.

I appreciate visits with family and friends more these days.

My goals for the year were:

• Write one play. I didn’t complete it, but I started work on a rewrite of Minced. I wanted to expand it from a one-act into a full-length play. I didn’t finish it, I did more playwriting last year than I’ve done in the previous five! So, it was definitely a success.
• I wanted to get my weight down to 190 lbs. I got there. Briefly. In August. But I wasn’t able to maintain it. Iit climbed back up in the holiday season. Oh, well. If at first you don’t succeed…
• I wanted to go on a couple of trips with Deb. They didn’t need to be far. I got that done. We went on a couple of day trips. A few road trips. Got to my cousin’s cottage. Got to Ottawa a couple of times. And even out to Fort St. John, BC. Whew!

I wanted to write a blog post a week. I averaged about one a month — if that… Oh well. I can do better.

All in all, it was a good year.

I’m feeling the march of time a bit more. I started thinking about retirement… That seems crazy. How did that happen?

Tomorrow will be the start of Groon 63. I need to iron out some goals for the upcoming year. Let’s see what I can do in the next lap around the sun!