Resolutions Revisited: Lauren Bright Pacheco

Last year, Patch columnist Lauren Bright Pacheco penned a 2011 New Year's resolution story asking locals what their resolutions would be for the New Year. Bright Pacheco threw in a resolution of her own. We check in to see how that's going....

Ah, what a difference a year makes!

I am still a stressed out freak, but now a television producing one: Maybe it’s the fact that I didn’t keep my resolution last year (to be less of a stressed-out freak as a mom and spouse) that led me to take on a new role this New Year in the form of a New Job (Field Producing for Dr. Oz).

I look back on last year a wee wiser, though — and I sincerely thank Ms. Mary Mann for that wisdom; writing for Patch was a great gift. It was a fun place to play with my typing ‘voice’ and provide ‘shout out’ to the places, faces and festivities that make this town a terrific town.

But more than anything else, it bonded me to the living, breathing fiber of what makes Maplewood MAPLEWOOD, and for that I am so very, very grateful.

As a ‘Shop Localista/MapleWould/About Town’ scribe, I actually had the honor of being more than a scribbler — I actually got involved with the people and events I was covering, and along the way made so very many great friends.

I wish everyone here the chance to do just that: get involved.

Sure, it sounds cheesy, but try it: suddenly this town becomes more than just an overly liberal tax burden. It becomes a home, and the people who live here become neighbors in the warmest and most comforting sort of way.

Really – it almost makes the taxes palatable….

My New Year’s resolution this year — as I go back to embracing the role of again being a commuter in the town I now feel bound to — is that I won’t lose the terrific sense of community I now know exists here every day, in every single home, shop and sidewalk in this place we’re pretty lucky to call home… taxes and all!