I’m back! It’s a rare two-post day on the blog. For reasons that will soon be revealed, this space will be (mostly) silent on Monday and Tuesday next week. Also, we’re well into 2025 and my “chapter series” feels somewhat time sensitive.
In January I suggested we “write a book together” in 2024 and pitched the idea of assigning each month a chapter title.
So far, I’ve had:
- January – Steady: Finding Solid Ground After a Year of Drowning
- February – Busy (with Intention): Making Time for Things that Provide Joy, Energy, and Thrill
- March – Up and Down: Trying to Enjoy the View from Life’s Rollercoaster
- April – Spring Cleaning: Unpacking My Bags and Tidying Up (Oh, and Look At Those Pretty Flowers!)
- May – Reflection: Another Trip Around the Sun – Let’s Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
- June – The Murky Middle: Saying Goodbye and Looking Ahead
- July – Unexpected: When Plans Go Awry, Life Still Provides Happy Moments
- August – Summer Adventures: Seeing the World and Coming Back Home
- September – Underwhelming: Fiascos with Enough Fun To Stay *Mostly* Positive
- October – Whirlwind: My Beautiful (Busy) Month of Visiting and Visitors
- November – (Not) Forgettable: Even When I’m Forgetful, Memorable Things Happen
I’ve already written a lot about our December, so I won’t rehash all that here today.
To summarize?
December – Celebrating and Savouring: The People! The Food! The Lights! The Gifts! Life...
And for the year?
2024: Despite New Battle Scars, I’m Older, Wiser, and More Optimistic
Some really hard things happened – mostly offline – in my life this year. But when I take the time to reflect, it’s not those experiences that stand out. It’s good things that come to mind. Two near-perfect weeks at the lake this summer. Exploring Barcelona and Portugal as a family. Walks to school. Meeting Kyria. Weekly at-home date nights with John. Watching the kids become more independent and confident. Welcoming my parents for another winter. A special Christmas complete with family and a magical blanket of snow.
If I sit and think about 2025 for too long, I can feel old anxieties surface. Some challenges may be unsolvable – as much as I hate to accept that truth. I suppose that’s life. And while I know I’ll have even more “battle scars” this time next year, I optimistically predict I will also be a whole lot wiser.
Your turn:
- First, thanks to everyone to participated in this series during 2024. (And a huge gold star to Stephany for using her chapter titles as prompts to summarize her year!)
- How would you label Chapter Twelve (December 2024)?
- What your “book” title say?
Header photo by Walls.io on Unsplash
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ccr in MA
I’m not at all sure how to sum up my year, but my chapter for December would be: Wait, What Happened to December? It’s Over?
Elisabeth
December did seem to just zoom by. To be honest, 2024 in general felt the same way…
Michelle G.
Your chapters have turned into a beautiful book, Elisabeth! I’m so glad that December finished off the year in such a beautiful way! You definitely had some hard times, but you always shine bright and put so much joy into the world. My December chapter is also a nice one. I’d call it “Grateful”.
Elisabeth
Aww. Michelle, you always find new ways to make me feel so loved <3
2024 was a good year, and I really do feel like I learned a lot.
Katy @ Practical Walk
Hmm, I’d probably title December as “The In-Between: Practicing Patience and Trust While in Limbo”
Elisabeth
Limbo is such a frustrating (and sometimes scary) place to be. The silver lining is we do get to practice patience and build our faith. But still…it can be a tough spot. Hoping things resolve and you emerge from said limbo.
Lisa's Yarns
I am glad that December was the cherry on top of your sundae! Having a great Christmas can really leave a positive mark on your sentiments about the month.
My title would be: December: A time for reflection
I had a break from travel and had some time to sit with my feelings a bit more. So I ended the year on a sadder note because the year really challenged me. There was a lot of good, of course, but the challenges sort of offset the good because they pushed me to my limits. I’m hopeful for 2025 since my surgery is around the corner and I have faith that it’s going to make a huge difference in my physical health. But also, I have 18 trips scheduled for the year already (not actually booked, but I’ve committed to 18 trips). So yah… But I am getting into a rhythm with work travel and Phil is focusing on the fact that the kids will be a little bit older and more manageable.
Elisabeth
2024 has been a really hard year for you. A long slog, quite frankly. I really hope that 2025 brings light. That the surgery goes smoothly, recovery is swift, and you notice real and lasting improvements. That work travel feels a bit less daunting and exhausting, and that motherhood feels a bit less exhausting. It’s amazing how quickly certain phases of parenting can pass!
mbmom11
December: the road less taken and a long and winding road.
Lots of stress and choice finally made about on big thing – that’s the road less taken. Waiting and waiting for important dr appointment for my daughter which isn’t until Feb, and dealing with her issues- that’s the winding road.
Soundtrack – Iris by the Googoo dolls.
Elisabeth
Having a child who needs ongoing care and advocacy is a huge responsibility, with so many ups and downs. I’m glad that you had clarity on one issue, and hope the appointment goes well in February. Sometimes not knowing the way forward is the biggest energy drain. Having an action plan can really help even challenging situations feel a bit less onerous. Sending hugs <3
NGS
It sounds like December really filled your cup. Yay!
January: It Happened
February: CBBC, Tornadoes, and Snail Mailpalooza
March: SAD Lamp Needed
April: Denial…It Ain’t Just a River in Egypt
May: On the Road Again
June: Rainy Days and Rainy Nights
July: The Hospital and The Olympics
August: The End of Summer Suck
September: Routinely Fine
October: Terrible, Thanks for Asking – COVID, A Radioactive Cat, and No Halloween
November: Highs and Lows – Terrible Election Results and a Mouse in the House, but Great Books and Thanksgiving
December: A Tale of Two Energies
I am going to have to have to think about what the book title would be called, but I might write my own blog post about that, so I’ll leave you in suspense.