The Year That Asked Everything of Me

A Year That Was… Everything

Beauty.

Chaos.

Amazement.

Friendship.

Disappointment.

Grace.

Energy.

Endurance.

Hardship.

Sadness.

Disbelief.

Gladness.

And above all… resilience.

I’ve never been one to share only the perfectly curated moments. Social media often paints lives as flawless, when in reality, most of us are quietly carrying more than we let on. Life is beautiful—but some moments are also incredibly hard. And that’s part of being human, isn’t it?

As I leave 2025 behind, I find myself reflecting on all of it. The moments that made me smile. The ones that made me laugh out loud—thank goodness for those. The moments of joy, beauty, and light that showed up even when I wasn’t looking for them.

I accomplished things this year that I truly didn’t think I could. I learned that sometimes, in order not to break, we have to bend—sometimes gently, sometimes more than we ever imagined possible.

This year held a lot of miles. So many hours in my car—driving from home to work, from work to the hospital, from the hospital back home again. Over and over. I also spent time in the air, traveling back to my hometown for moments that carried both joy and heaviness. Some trips were easier than others. All of them required resilience.

I cried a lot this year. Mostly in my car. Sometimes after picking up coffee, sitting quietly before driving home. Other times at night, next to Stan—sometimes held, sometimes silently working through it on my own. There were days I felt broken under the weight of everything I was carrying. But somehow… I made it.

What helped me survive it all?

Love. Faith. Hope.

Love—from the people who showed up for me again and again. My husband. My daughters. My incredible mother. My brother. And a community of friends who held me up when I felt tired or unsure. I truly could not have done this year without them.

Faith—my steady anchor. The quiet strength that reminds me I am never walking alone. I am deeply grateful for a faith that lifts me, grounds me, and carries me when I feel weary.

And hope… hope is a gift. One I never want to take for granted.

This year, I witnessed so much beauty—especially in acts of generosity. One moment stands out so clearly. After a long, exhausting day, with so much weighing on my heart, I had no energy left to even think about dinner. A friend looked at me and said, “Go home and rest. I ordered dinner for you. Just pick it up on your way.” And of course, I cried in the car—tears of gratitude, of relief, of being seen. A simple act of kindness that felt like a miracle in that moment.

I also gained new friends this year and grew closer to others who were once just acquaintances. Real, genuine friendships—the kind that show up, listen, and stay. What a gift that is.

I’m proud of myself for carrying this year with strength, even on the days I didn’t feel strong at all. It wasn’t easy, but I did it. And I’m allowing myself to say that out loud. Some days, I truly don’t know how I made it through—but I did.

2025 was exhausting in every sense of the word. But it was also a year of growth. A year of grace.

I don’t believe much in resolutions. But I do believe in showing up. In doing the work. In choosing perseverance. In becoming, little by little, the best version of ourselves.

And as I step into this new year, I do so with a heart full of gratitude, open hands, and quiet hope—trusting that whatever lies ahead will meet me with purpose, love, and light.

May this new year meet us gently.

May it give us the grace to breathe when things feel heavy, and the courage to keep going even when the path isn’t clear. May we remember that we don’t have to have everything figured out to be moving forward.

May we be kind to ourselves on the days we feel tired, unsure, or stretched thin. May we give ourselves permission to rest without guilt, to feel without rushing past it, and to celebrate even the smallest victories.

May we continue to choose love — in our words, in our actions, and in the way we care for one another. May we hold tightly to faith when life feels uncertain, and may hope quietly remind us that brighter days are always possible, even when we can’t yet see them.

May this year bring healing where we need it most, strength where we feel weak, and peace in the places that have felt restless. May we notice the beauty tucked into ordinary days, the kindness that shows up unexpectedly, and the blessings that arrive right on time.

And above all, may we walk into this new year knowing we are not alone — carried by love, grounded in faith, and guided by grace — one step, one breath, and one day at a time. ✨