This is the time of year when some people resolve to make a change in their lives. Wickeds, what resolution might one of your characters make for the new year? And what are their chances of keeping to it, perhaps a more interesting question!
Edith: Occasionally Quaker Rose Carroll tells a white lie in the service of tracking down a murderer. She always feels guilty about not following Friends’ principle of integrity, so she might resolve to change that in the coming year. On the other hand…the pursuit of truth and justice is an even stronger lure for her, so no guarantees on whether she’ll stick to her resolution or not!
Jessie: That is such an interesting character trait, Edith! I don’t think any of my characters have too much concern about bending the truth in pursuit of justice. In fact, some of them rather enjoy shading the truth! Beryl is not really one for thinking she needs to change much about herself so I rather suspect she will not make any resolutions. Unless she is resolving to get her friend, Edwina, to try more new things! Edwina does like to improve herself and has decided she wishes to become a better motorist.
Liz: So everyone else has resolved to stay off the road when Edwina is around then, Jessie? 🙂 Maddie kind of hates new year resolutions. She recognizes them for what they are – more ways to feel like a failure when you don’t stick to them. Instead, she’s trying to be more mindful all the time – meditating, slowing down, not reacting in typical ways to conflicts. She pretty much has to start over again every day!
Barb: Julia Snowden has resolved to not be such a workaholic, to find a hobby she cares about, and make some friends in Busman’s Harbor beyond her circle of family and her boyfriend Chris. Of course, this has been her resolution for the last three years and she has failed miserably, so she’s not optimistic. Maybe she should admit that solving murders is her hobby and the state and local cops are her friends?
Sherry: Ha, Barb — I think that’s one resolution that Julia could keep. I can’t think of a single thing Sarah would resolve to do and then keep. Eat out less at DiNapoli’s — not going to happen. Quit helping friends who are in trouble — no way. Give up Bedford Farms ice cream — nope. So I think Sarah will resolve not to make any resolutions. It’s so much easier than making them and then feeling like a failure.
Julie: Barb, I agree with Sherry, Julia’s best resolution is to keep doing what she’s doing. Sherry, Lilly Jayne’s with you. She’s not going to resolve to do anything. At this point in her life she’s comfortable with her path. The rest of the Garden Squad? Tamara would try and work less, Ernie might try to lose some weight, Roddy’s resolutions are about becoming a great gardener, Delia’s would likely be about balance. Warwick’s in Lilly’s camp–he’ll keep doing the best he can.
Readers: Did you make a resolution for the new year? What are your odds for keeping it?