Dec 28, 2016 4 min read

Q.My son was one of your peer educators. He’s in his 30s now. (I’m sorry. I don’t mean to make you feel old.)

I admire the way you listen to peer educators’ ideas for your column. I remember you offering some teen New Year’s resolutions in the past. 2016 has been tough for me. Our family lost two beloved members.

I appreciated your columns on grief. I’m just plain tired. And I’m still uncomfortable talking with friends about the election. It was so divisive.

Would you ask your peer educators for their thoughts on the new year? Thanks.

Adult who needs cheering up

Mary Jo’s response: No need to apologize! Life is a gift, and getting older is a blessing. Quick story: While purchasing a pillow a few years ago, the cashier recognized me as her childbirth educator. I thanked her for remembering me, and inquired of her “baby’s” age. Thirty-nine, she said. I left the store without the pillow! Age creeps up on us, I think, and is reflected most by observing the growth of children we love.

Grieving can be exhausting; 2016 was a difficult year for many. Everyone needs good cheer. I asked a few of our peer educators to share their thoughts for 2017. I hope their wisdom eases your angst. Happy New Year!

Landan Weakland: I just hope that 2017 will be better than 2016 because there was a lot of pain this year.

Maya Nicole Wells: For this year, 2017, I hope for continued inner strength, wisdom and love. As I am about to close on my high school years and going on into a new chapter of my life, I need to remain positive and find a deeper strength that I may not know that I have in order to get through some very difficult situations. The wisdom to make correct decisions in regard to a small portion of my future and where I desire to be. Most importantly, love. No matter how far or close to home I am, to continue to share endless love with all the people who have made me who I am right now and share the dreams of all that I wish to be.

Maggie Thompson: My New Year’s resolution is to apply myself more in school and finish this year with no grades worse than a B. I also want to start to apply to colleges and for scholarships. Finally, I want to work on relationships. I want to be friendly to everyone, but learn for myself that you do not have to be friends with every single person and to not wear myself thin or stress over situations I cannot fix.

Toni Maurer: Instead of a New Year’s resolution, I’ve decided to do something way more simple: focus on me. I’m going to slowly work to not worry so much about what I can’t change and instead make myself a healthier, smarter, happier girl. There’s not much to ask for … new year, new opportunities.

Baylee Hoffaker: This year I’m going to work on myself. It’s the old cliché thing with the “new year, new me,” but I actually want to try it. I want to try to lose even more weight and feel good about myself. I would love to find my inner peace and just be happy about myself. I wish to see myself as people see me. I hope 2017 will be a better year to not only me, but to everybody.

Elizabeth Gysi: I just want next year to not be as horrible as 2016.