Six-word stories: Share with the IJ what your year was like

We’re just a few weeks away from the end of 2023 — how did that happen so quickly? — and as the year winds down, now’s a good time to stop and reflect on the past year. What did it bring you? How was it different than others before it? What is something you’ll remember going forward, from the little moments to the big milestones? Or is it one you’re ready to put behind you as you head in 2024?

I’d like to know. So, for December, please share a story — just one — of what your year was like with the IJ.

Please make it a story, a personal story, with a beginning, middle and end — not six adjectives, not a cliche and not advice. Make us laugh or cry or at the very least feel something. For an example, here is the famous story attributed to, but not proven to be written by, Ernest Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

If you want your story to run in the IJ, please:

• Write “Six-word story” in the subject line

• Send one story. Just one

• Include your full name and Marin town in the body of the email, no attachments

• Write your short story in the body of the email, no attachments

• Use proper punctuation and spelling

• Use sentence style in one line

Please send to lifestyles@marinij.com by Dec. 15 and look for it in the Dec. 26 lifestyles section and online.