Christmas has come and gone. And it was eerily apparent this year that holidays will never quite be the same. It’s something that is logical after loss, but I don’t think you really get it until you experience it. I very much enjoyed Christmas and some of our new traditions. I loved going to both of SCC’s Christmas Eve services. I actually really enjoyed opening presents Christmas morning instead of Christmas Eve, and a small dinner feast was a welcome change from the loads of food in the past.

My recognition of change made me a little hesitant about our New Year’s Day tradition. For as long as I can remember, we’d wake up the morning of the new year and have breakfast as a family–a quasi-French tradition: crêpes. I don’t know anyone else who has the same tradition, and I just loved its uniqueness growing up. I was pleasantly surprised last week when Shelly said “can we have crêpes on Monday morning?” And so, we did. Some traditions and celebrations will never be normal again. But there are glimpses and pieces that are easy enough to keep alive and as we make our way into 2018 I am glad of that.

I have decided to jump on the band wagon of choosing a word of intention for my year. This year I picked “create”. There are many things I want to create this year: healthier habits, new traditions, new friendships, and crafty projects of all sorts. I can’t wait to see where this year will lead and I am glad to leave 2017 in the dust.

Happy New Year!