It’s hard for me to reconcile how good 2017 was for me personally with how I felt about the world in general.

In general, it felt like everything was on fire, and all I had was a bucket of water. How do you know where to pour your bucket? How do you find other people with buckets and decide which fire to put out together? It’s been 12 months, and I don’t really have an answer, but I’m looking forward to focusing my energy on the U.S. elections in 2018. My hope is that we can elect people who will use their power to fight all the fires.

But you’re probably not reading this for my trite political metaphors. You’re probably reading this because you want to hear about my life (or because, like me, you’re fascinated by everybody’s life). My life has been good. Really good.

I’m better at taking care of myself. I understand my feelings and can put them into words. I have a supportive partner. I’m passionate about my work. I’m astounded by the generosity of strangers who made me feel like family. My house feels like a haven, for Devin and for me and for the people we love.

2017 was the first year I felt at home in Madison. When my mom visited in November, she squeezed my hand and said, “You’re not lonely anymore.” The next week, I looked around our living room. It was full of friends laughing and eating ice cream, and I realized she was right.

When I think of 2017, this is what I want to remember.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.