It's the last day of 2025. Looking back on the past year, I'm ready to say good riddance and move on to 2026. Yet at the same time, 2025 will be a year that I will always treasure.
It's been a long year. I don't usually bring in politics to these blog posts and I'm not really going to start now. But 2025 saw a lot of challenges in the world, a lot of changes. And it's been exhausting. There's been too much hate and division and not enough love and kindness. The news and social media feeds are filled with bad news while stories of the goodness of people lay hidden. If there is one thing I wish for in 2026, it's that kindness be at the forefront of everything we do - as individuals, as communities, as a nation. A little bit of kindness can really go along way.
So maybe that's my challenge to myself - and to you, if you're willing. In 2026, commit to being kind. Let's see where it gets us.
As I said earlier, 2025 will also be a year to remember for me. I started the year with the idea of putting myself first, embracing where I am in life as I start a new decade and saying yes to anything that brings me joy.
I've reflected a bit on this is previous posts, but I want to say again that I'm proud of who I've been this year, what I've done, how I acted. (Although, let me make it clear, that there have been plenty of mistakes, plenty of times I was not proud of my actions or thoughts.) I entered the new decade exactly the way I wanted and that continues to make me excited for next 10 years. The year has been filled with some incredible moments and memories.
2025 was also the year that I got to give, quite literally, the gift of life. Typing it out like that makes it seem a bit dramatic and overreaching. I don't like the idea of sitting here, thinking that I'm a hero or whatever. And I really struggle to accept the kind of compliments and admiration that comes along with it. To me, there was a choice in front of me where I had the opportunity to make my Dad better and I took it. I couldn't imagine not helping when it was a possibility.
I don't think any of knew what to expect as we headed to Rochester in late November. There were so many unknowns ahead of us. But looking back now, I can see the many blessings that we have been given during this time.
Dan was able to take a leave from work and spent 5 weeks with us here in Minnesota. That was quite literally a gift of time we got to spend with Dan, and probably the longest amount of time since before Dan went to college. I know that we all valued that time, especially my mom and dad.
With the surgery right before Thanksgiving, it meant that Josh was also able to fly into Minnesota and spend some extra days with us. Dad had even been discharged from the hospital so we got a few great days together under one roof. Jacob had a break from school, so he was able to spend that extra time with us uncles and the rest of us who had been in Rochester while Jacob was back at home.
Nana Z was able to work remotely and stay with Jacob at the house during that first week. This was another gift of time that I know both Nana and Jacob loved. To have that kind of special one-on-one time together is something so incredible.
While there have been some ups and downs in the past 6 weeks, I can honestly say that I think it also brought us closer together as a family. Everyone stepped in if something was needed and we relied on each other, giving support or making jokes to make us all laugh.
I also need to say that we had a lot of support from outside the family as well - praying for us, helping us, visiting us. And for that, we will always be so grateful.
And even though we're only 6 weeks out, we can all tell what a difference it has made. It has been so amazing to see my Dad's energy back. He's been busy coordinating projects, making plans and doing whatever he can around the house. I think if you were to ask my mom, she would tell you it's both refreshing to see and a bit annoying. ;-)
While 2025 has seen it's fair share of injustices, there have also been some amazing blessings. And ones we won't forget anytime soon.
So here's to 2026. May it be a year full of love and kindness to all.
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