Storms, Swarms, and Melting Hills

The unexpected beauty of 2024, where I found answers in silence.

Happy New Year, Loved Ones!

2024 was a year of adventure, growth, and surprise.

From big milestones to quiet, meaningful moments, here’s a little glimpse into what made it special:

2024 Highlights

• Graduated with my MFA in Creative Writing 🎓—an experience that pushed me to grow as a writer in ways I’ll carry (in my bag of sensorium) forever.

• Took a whirlwind solo road trip across the country and back. Learned a lot about myself in those ‘quiet’ moments. The return leg with my parents was equal parts chaos and bonding.

• Reconnected with family and old friends—a reminder of how easy it can be to reach out and how mutual those feelings usually are, once you put your fears of rejection aside.

• Learned a lot about the work I want to do—and what I don’t (turns out I’m not destined to be a book publicist, and that’s okay - wasn’t totally vested in that). Marketing is fun, but I’m still searching for that sweet spot. Something that combines my love of creation with my love of organization with my love of literature. Or maybe none of these things. I’m still learning who I am.

• Took steps to be more assertive about my needs, both professionally and personally. I can say no. I can also say yes, and demand my efforts be recognized.

• Celebrated Stuart and Susan’s wedding (finally, geez), a beautiful afternoon filled with much love and joy. 💍

• Watched Grayson turn 9, start playing the violin, and crush it on the snowboard this winter. 🎻🏂 goin GNAR GNAR on the FRESH POW POW.

• When I ask him what surprised him the most about 2024 he said, “I like to read now. I didn’t used to, but now I love it.” Proud mama here.

• Went on an epic road trip to Black Hawk, Colorado with the whole family (dogs, boys, and me!) to see Cage the Elephant. Also checked off Taking Back Sunday, The Used, Dashboard Confessional, Boys Like Girls, and Strfkr. I’m missing a bunch of others. Quite a year for live music!

• Published a “silly little piece” in an online journal—a lesson in letting go for me… in not treating things so precious.

• Co-founded The Practice of Writing (TPOW) with my close friend Nina: a creative space where writers come together to build habits, share insights, and grow in their craft. It’s been a surprising and rewarding project so far.

• Welcomed Jack into our home (technically late 2023)—he’s settled in so well and has made our little family that much more complete. 🐾

• Added Sashimi, our snake, to the family. He’s slinky, quirky, and already adored.

• Kept Gus and Chinchee alive, happy, and as wonderfully weird as ever.

Digging deeper, I’d say my solo cross-country trip was the most prolific experience this year.
I can now say there’s no better (or maybe worse) way to spend time with your thoughts.
Some reflections from the road:

• I cried—a lot. Sometimes in response to the sheer beauty, sometimes from being overwhelmed, and sometimes for seemingly no reason at all.

• The Badlands feel like an alien playground, as if otherworldly beings built the roads to let us marvel at their leftovers. Maybe it is all part of some massive experiment, luring us in with curiosity and awe of the formations seemingly inspired by homemade ice cream: flaky, icy, crispy, or melting too fast. It’s both fragile and enduring; a marvel.

• Watched storms light up Custer, South Dakota, where I camped in my car.

• Drove through endless rain in Minnesota.

• Passed through Amish country (decided I’m not a fan - why does it give me the creeps?)

• Hit a 35 mph curve in the highway in Cleveland where we all looked like a swarm of bees navigating chaos.

• Had a major breakdown in the Middle of Nowhere, Michigan. Landed me in a motel in NY where I spent an evening in a tub, downing canned ciders and shoveling adobada tacos into my face.

• Fell asleep to the hum of lightning bugs in Wisconsin.

• Found myself captivated by Woodstock, Vermont, which might just be the most charming place on Earth.

• Realized how much better life is with friends: Lea made space for me in NH, and Nina in ME.

• Started imagining new ideas for Bobbie’s story—how she might create art inspired by the sculptures and landscapes of a trip like mine. Gave me time to think about her own journey of rediscovery—building the life-sized sculptures she never had space to create while she was stuck in a toxic relationship. I’m learning that having space to create is just as important as the act of creating itself.

• The bottoms of trees in Wyoming are bare—why?

• Horses huddle under signposts like they’re holding secret meetings.

• The hills in Wyoming look like water snaked up and carved them, quietly defying time.

• We’re always revising ourselves, even in places where we think nothing ever changes.

• A city can feel both like “the beginning of something" and "severely sad" (looking at you, Portage).

• Drove into the darkest black clouds I’ve ever seen, and straight through a legitimate tornado warning with my parents. Couldn’t see the road. Watched a basketball fly across the highway, along with other random objects. Laughed maniacally on the other side.

• Sometimes it’s the strangest, most unusual things—splashes of paint on a Cleveland highway wall—that feel the most like art and stick with you the longest.

• The hardest part of the trip? Wishing Jason and Gray had been with me. I now have dreams of picnics at Shoshone Falls, fishing in Yellowstone, or climbing hills in the Badlands. I can’t wait to make those memories together.

Driving alone gave me so much space to think, revise, and dream. Even in the quietest corners of the country, there’s constant construction—roads, cities, and even ourselves, always evolving. This trip taught me that revising our lives is like revising a story: messy, essential, and always worth it.

2025 Goals

Looking ahead, here’s what I’m focusing on this year:

• Be more involved in the writing community—connecting, sharing, and growing with others.

• Set better, more realistic goals for my writing: daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.

• Jason and I are getting married this year (!!) The theme is funky fresh, and dog tuxedos are happening. 🐾💍

• Read at least a book a month—because every writer should be an active reader.

• Finally finish the first draft of the book that’s been living rent-free in my head for three years. 🖋️

• Continue searching work that feels fulfilling and aligns with my values, while still allowing me a bit of creative freedom.

• Write those short stories I’ve been storing away for a rainy day.

• Call people more. Or at least pick up the phone when their calls come in. I’ve always been bad at that. But more and more of my friends live further and further away and I don’t want to lose touch because I have a phone phobia (I don’t think that’s entirely what it is though?).

• Taking better care of myself, inside and out.

• Continuing to speak up, for myself and others.

• ^ Doing that in a calm and rash manner. Not letting my emotions always take the wheel. Sometimes passion can lead to eruption and there’s no excuse.

• Putting money aside for big plans. Making big advances. Building our dream life.

2024 was full of growth and adventure, and I’m endlessly grateful for the people who made it meaningful.

I hope 2025 is filled with as much joy, creativity, and a revelation.

Let’s keep building the lives we want—one revision at a time.

With love,
Leah