Closing the Door on 2024

I've had trouble settling down to write anything lately. My mind has been preoccupied by the sobering reality of several friends dealing with quite major health issues. My friends and I are all at that age now where, if we aren't ourselves dealing with major health issues, then we know someone who is. I am a person who prays, and I have been praying lately for five people, all women, in my circle who have been undergoing some sort of cancer treatment. In the last couple of weeks I received good news from two of these friends, and I now feel like maybe we are over the worst of this bout of scary and all-consuming scenarios.

In early December I attended a Christmas party at the home of a good friend of mine in the nearby town we used to live in. Her house was brimming with laughter and conversation. I had not seen many of the guests for a year or more. I noticed how everyone was looking a bit older, a bit greyer with a few more laugh lines and worry creases. I'm sure they thought the same of me. I thought how lucky we all were to be there, healthy, engaged and celebratory. There were a few young people there, too, friends of our hosts' son. I reflected on the gift that youthful energy and clear-eyed beauty bring to the table, and hoped that these young friends were making the most of this special and all too short-lived time in their lives.

Weeks ago, when my husband and I were walking on our favourite river trail, we noticed how friendly our contemporaries were. There were plenty of  'Hello! Nice day for it, eh?' greetings between us. I joked later that maybe we were all thinking the same thing: "Hey, look at us! Still upright and able. Isn't it great?" 

As I reflect on the past year, I feel grateful for being able to support my friends in their health crises. I have been on the receiving end of that support and know how much it can mean. I am grateful for my siblings whose support I feel through our daily check-ins and Wordle score sharing. I am grateful for my husband who continues to work through endless work challenges and toward personal lofty fitness goals while making sure I feel loved and cared for each and every day. I am grateful for my four children, whatever they bring, whether it is something to cheer me or educate me. It all counts. I am grateful for my mountain home away from home. Here I get to slow down, smell the good air, and drink the clear water. I am inspired here and always go home feeling refreshed. I am grateful for my health. It's not perfect, but with my cooperation (and often wavering motivation), it's pretty darn good. I am grateful for all the simple joys I experienced this past year, from cherry blossoms in spring to impromptu visits with old friends. And finally, I am grateful for the hard times. There's no school like them, and I hope I am a better and more resilient person for them.

As this year closes and another one opens, may you find doors to inspiration, to hope, and to love aplenty, just waiting for you to pass through and embrace them. 

Until next time, and with hopes for a more peaceful 2025 in our crazy, beautiful world,

Rebecca