Life in 2024

Life in 2024 has been… exhausting. Mentally and emotionally exhausting. There have been too many personal losses in my family and adjacent to my family. Two of those losses we believe (one confirmed and one not) were… self-inflicted.

In addition, past losses have also taken a toll this year. One of them would have turned 18 this past weekend and a friend of my youngest. It hit him hard. It was unexpected. 

Another anniversary, if you want to call it that, is coming up soon. 

My sister lost someone. One of my nephews lost someone. Yeah, it’s been a really tough year.

And it’s not over yet.

I do hope the rest of this year gives us more positivity because I don’t know how much more sorrow I can take.

Well, I can take quite a lot. You take what life gives you. You have no choice. 

But It’s all been a bit much this year.

Meanwhile, life keeps on truckin’ as they say.  My oldest is about to start his final year of college and my youngest just started his senior year of high school.

The end of this year and next year will be quite busy - and financially taxing - but it will be worth it to see both of my boys graduate and walk across their perspective stages in their caps and gowns and reach one of the biggest milestones of their lives.

They’re both nervous about what life will be like after but their dad and I make sure they know that we have their backs. Life as a parent doesn’t stop once your child turns 18.

Some people don’t believe this. They see their job as done and kind of (or completely) wash their hands of any kind of responsibility or compassion towards their kids. 

I’m not one of those people.

I will never stop being their mom. They will never stop being my sons. I’m a parent for life. Things will change. They will get older - as will I - and their responsibilities will change and grow but I’m always going to be their mom.

Anyway, It’s been that kind of year. I have been doing a lot of self-reflection and reflecting on life in general, my children, and my own little space in the world.

It’s been a really hard year. 

But we will be okay.

Thanks for reading!