It's hard to believe that we're already on the cusp of starting yet another new year. And not just any new year -- a big year at our house, as both Abby and Isaac will graduate and move on to their next endeavors in 2026. I'm not sure that I'm emotionally ready for those changes and a lot of details still need to be fleshed out, but I know that God will see me (and them) through it all. And I try to rest in that knowledge.
The afternoon hours featured a pair of college bowl games on TV, which were interesting but not particularly meaningful to us.
And then this evening, we lingered over chicken parmesan and garlic knots at the kitchen table before I pulled out our surprise activity: a caramel flavor guessing game I got from Trader Joes. My execution wasn't perfect (using separate plates would've been a good idea for one; refrigerating the caramels before trying to cut them for another), but most of us enjoyed it, even if most of our guesses were wrong.
Now it's about 10:15 PM and I'm sitting alone in the family room reflecting. I spent the past few hours in the living room with the kiddos while they listened to music and played Mario Kart on the Wii (and Adam napped on the floor nearby). It was fun to listen to them sing and laugh and yell and chit-chat as they played, but I wanted them to have some time to themselves, so I stole away.
I guess that's my biggest, boldest observation about 2025: our kids really grew up this year. A lot. Like I've already noted, Abby and Isaac are seniors. Abby has an actual plan for her life after she graduates in May, and Isaac has been accepted to a college (and is waiting on decisions from the other two). Brady is in high school and getting ready for his first high school baseball season. All three of them are more mature than they were when the year began. They're all smarter and they all have goals and beliefs and ideas that aren't just mine but their own. They have different personalities and sometimes I struggle with managing those differences well in my interactions with them, but they're all amazing people and I'm proud of all of them. I'm just stunned that they're already 21, 17, and 15.
And then there's Logan; my sweet boy who would be 19 but is forever five and a half. It's hard to believe that we've spent another year without him. I still wish I could see who he would be today, but I trust that God had a plan in taking him Home back in 2012, and I lean into that on the days that feel heavier than I'd like. Because I most definitely still have those weighty days.
And us? We're here. Adam's working. I'm crocheting and waiting for whatever's next. I want to pray more in 2026; I didn't do a great job with that discipline this year. I also want to connect more with friends and spend more time listening to and engaging with those around me. And I want to be a blessing to others, too; I want God to use me to draw others close to Himself.
Anyway, may God bless you and yours as 2025 comes to a close and we usher in 2026.
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