As the year comes to a close, I find myself pausing more often—taking stock, breathing deeply, and feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Above all else, I am thankful for health. The simple but profound gift of waking up each day well, for our bodies carrying us through the highs and lows, and for the steady health of our two beloved cats who bring comfort, routine, and so much love into our home. These everyday blessings are never lost on me.

At the same time, loving deeply also means living with anticipatory grief. With a 13-year-old and an 18-year-old cat, there’s a quiet awareness that time is precious. Each extra nap in the sun, each familiar routine, and each gentle purr feels more meaningful. While there’s gratitude for every healthy day we still have together, there’s also a tenderness that comes from knowing how fragile and fleeting these moments can be. This year has taught me to cherish the now even more fiercely.

This year also asked more of my heart than I ever expected. Late August brought the devastating loss of my brother, a moment that forever divided the year into “before” and “after.” The heartbreak of losing him is deep and ongoing. Grief has woven itself into daily life—sometimes heavy and overwhelming, sometimes quiet and reflective. I miss him deeply. Yet even in the pain, I’m grateful for the love we shared and the memories that remain.

Through it all, life continued to offer moments of light: kindness from others, small joys, unexpected laughter, and reminders that even in sorrow, we are still held by blessings. This year taught me that gratitude and grief can coexist—that it’s possible to honor loss while still recognizing the beauty that remains.

As I look ahead to the new year, my heart is full of gratitude for what has sustained us and hopeful for what lies ahead. I’m stepping into the coming year with openness, appreciation, and a quiet faith that more abundance, healing, and blessings will come our way. May the new year bring continued health, gentle moments, and peace—one day at a time.