Be Present

 Here we are...a few days away from 2025 ending and 2026 arriving 😊. As I reflect over my 2025, one word comes to mind...grateful!!! I first thank God because He's the reason I'm here and have made it this far 💖. I am grateful for new opportunities, new connections, and new adventures. I took leaps of faith when I tried new food experiences (Ex. I ate sushi for the first time!), embraced the inner child in me in riding carnival rides (High Roller is forever etched in my mind 😄!), and became a newspaper columnist (My biggest highlight for sure!). I am grateful that I was able to witness one of my friends receive an Everyday Hero award for all of her hard work and heart for community 💖. We even made TV, which was so neat! I am grateful that I saw family on happy occasions. I am grateful for all the encouragement, help, support, hugs, and love shown to me all year long 😊. I am so grateful to still be standing! It's not always easy, but I'm grateful for God walking with me every step of the way. The week right before Christmas, I dealt with upper respiratory infection/voice hoarseness. What I thought were allergies turned out to be more. I am grateful for using wisdom and checking myself out with a doctor. Just like our bodies get tired, so do our voices. I had to rest my voice over the weekend especially, which meant I could talk very little. Now, this was challenging and I had to be creative with communication. At home, I had to use a dry erase board to communicate with my brother- thank goodness he was patient with me! I also used text to communicate with others as needed. When I did talk briefly, it was one-word answers or short phrases and that was it. I really had to be still and not use my vocal cords, so they could heal. God and I were talking a lot though because I was thanking Him and praising Him a whole lot in my mind. Every chance I could, I threw my hands up in praise. God was still going to get the praise one way or the other because it could have been worse! In my time of healing, I didn't use my phone as much. I did do things I love- watch movies, read, and do word search puzzles 😊. Sure, I missed my phone check ins and longer conversations with my people, but God got me through. I learned more than ever to be present in the moment. I learned to keep setting healthy boundaries. I learned that rest is important. I learned not to take anything or anyone for granted. Most of us speak without giving it a second thought. Let me tell you, when you're limited and can't talk much, you appreciate the voice even more 💖. There's power in our voice! We have to use it wisely- another lesson learned. Don't take anyone else's voice for granted either! Praise be to God, I'm all better now! On Christmas Day, my brother and I were able to spend time with our Daddy's side of the family, and we had a great time 💖. We had delicious food, good conversations, played a fun game, and had lots of laughs. I'm glad I was present for every moment of it. I also had phone conversations with some of Momma's side of the family, so I got the best of both worlds on Christmas Day. Family is everything to me 😊.  So, as we are nearing the end of this year and getting ready to see a new year, I encourage you to keep being present. Keep doing things that make you forget about using your phone and scrolling social media. Keep being grateful and find moments to laugh. Keep doing the best you can even when it's not easy. Keep checking in on yourself and your people. Keep making new memories. Let's keep being present 💝. I'm grateful for all the blessings and lessons of 2025! Let's not miss anything in the moments ahead! Here's to a wonderful 2026! Love and blessings to all!