12/31/2023
As this year draws to an end, many of us find ourselves doing two things. First, we reflect on the past year, the good and the bad. We try to figure out what went wrong and why and how we are going to change things for a better future. We look at who we are, what we like and don’t like and how we are going to grow for the future. Without the trials and triumphs, we wouldn’t be who God made us to become. Because of this last year, I am more patient and understanding. I slow down (mostly because I have a 1 year old). I love more and I realize now more than ever at any moment it can all be taken away. I am grateful for my family. I am beyond thankful for my patient, understanding husband who stood by me at my darkest moments and stepped up when I couldn’t. I am humbled and incredibly blessed that God proved me worthy of my son that I prayed for for a decade. He has changed my life and made me a better person. I am truly honored to get to watch him learn and grow every day. He is my everything. This past year has proved to be the hardest one yet when it comes to grief and loss for me. I will never get to see what my daughter or my oldest godson would have accomplished this year. I will never get to see the smile on their faces or get to hug them. I will never get to watch them graduate highschool or college, get married, have babies of their own. I will not get the chance to tell them or my brother, uncle or grandmother that I loved them one last time. Without my son, gods timing, my entire support system, I don’t know how I would have survived this year. Second, we look forward to the year ahead, a chance at change, new possibilities, hopes and dreams for the future, plans to do better and be better as we enter our so called “fresh start”. Remember that tomorrow is not promised. Every day is a gift from God, a chance to honor and serve him so that he may use you to honor and serve others. God uses the strong and faithful even through trials to lead and witness. This year I challenge us all to love more, show more kindness, compassion and acceptance. Give grace, be humble and show gratitude. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!