Happy 2024

Year 2023 was the most difficult of my life. I feel the human tendency to want to say it “was not kind to me,” but I don’t want to be ungrateful by forgetting to acknowledge that there were good moments despite all of the struggle. So, it had silver linings, but it was painful. Like a deep, aching growing pain.

The prior year had been fraught with trials, so 2023 began with us still coming off of that. In the spring, we finally saw hope of getting into a positive groove, but summertime brought disaster.

There was a massive miscommunication between one of my most important humans and myself. It took over a month to sort out. It nearly destroyed both of us.

There was a bulging disc, pain, dermatomes, x-rays, MRIs, diagnoses, a steroid injection, and physical therapy.

There was taking on a new teaching position. With that comes the many critics that follow the trail of cleaning up the messes left by predecessors and the light sprinkling of less than pleasant divas who will say or do anything to suit their narrative. And the unsure leadership that blows back and forth like a branch in the shifting winds.

I acquired some grown-adult bullies who have spent months attempting to make my life miserable. They have definitely made an impact that they might-could have called successful, had it not been for the defense of true friends who supported me, and defended me when my back was turned.

There was a home malfunction that cost hundreds of dollars and far too much time to fix.

There were occasional colds, surgeries, pets dying, and the lifelong medical tests associated with the life of an autoimmune warrior, and the list goes on.

Lastly, there was another car accident. My husband has had more than his fair share of accidents (not caused by him), but this one nearly destroyed him.

Although it might be tempting to say the accident of 2022 was worse, this one he couldn’t walk away from without significant injuries. His accident was caused by a careless, entitled person disinterested in obeying the laws or even remotely concerned how their poor choices alter the lives of others. Then, again, as a result of their careless entitlement, they were not even covered by insurance during the accident they caused. So far, that has caused 6 months of detrimental life changes. My husband is still not okay, but we are trying our best to make the most of this new norm and the many challenges we have had to face.

What is crazy to me is that everyone I speak to has had difficulties out of the ordinary this past year. I have been told, “Everyone has got it bad lately,” and it is bizarre… it is true and strange.

In short, life is bitterly difficult. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Life has been overwhelming. The holidays became a hurdle to get over rather than the joyful celebrations they ought to be. I am so ready for this new year.

Although I have nothing to go on yet, I am determined to believe 2024 will be better. I desire the year 2024 to be full of hope, turned leaves, new opportunities, and innumerable miracles. My hope is that the windows of heaven will crack open, pouring blessings of hope to our weary souls.

Whether you have had a good, mediocre, or bad year, you deserve a beautiful, fulfilling, dreams-come-truing Year 2024 as well. Let’s dust off the old year and usher in the new. Let’s take on these blessed days ahead of us with determination, hope, and, above all, gratitude for the things we have and for the things we can do.

I hope and pray that we may all find healing, comfort, and peace. Happy New Year.