As we say goodbye to 2025 and hello to another new year, I found myself browsing through last year’s journal for some moments of reflection and renewal.

Those scribbled thoughts, quiet worries, and unexpected joys revealed ways life was nudging me forward.

That became the inspiration for this month’s blog. What better way to welcome 2026 than by sharing how last year shaped me, surprised me, and reminded me of what really matters?

With that in mind, I’m sharing an excerpt from my journal from each month, along with some life lessons we can all carry forward into the new year.

Then, at the end of this post, I’ll share thoughts from fellow bloggers along with links so you can explore their insights and experiences. It’s a wonderful way to see how others approach the theme of reflection and renewal.

We hope our blogs serve as a reminder that even the smallest moments can hold meaning and that a new year is always an invitation to begin again.

January: Losing a Pet

Today was the sad day we had to say goodbye to Max.

Losing our dog, Max, in January was the first heartbreaking lesson 2025 handed me. Max had been part of our family for 15 years. The house still feels strangely quiet without the clicking sound of his paws or the jingle of his collar.

Max unexpectedly came into our lives when my husband, Scott, found him—a tiny, shivering, skinny puppy huddled under the stairs at our office—so pathetic and helpless that he scooped him up without a second thought. We weren’t looking for another pet, but when Scott named the dog, I knew the decision was made.

I won’t complain. Max grew into a lovable, well-behaved dog, as if he knew he’d been rescued and wanted to repay us with unconditional love, comfort, and unwavering loyalty. He enjoyed car trips and camping with us, always ready for the next adventure, always grateful, always ours.

His absence left an ache, but it also reminded us how deeply pets weave themselves into our hearts. Even now, as we look ahead to 2026, his memory still brings a mix of tears and gratitude for the joy he gave us.

Life Lesson: Losing a pet teaches you a lesson you don’t fully understand until you’ve lived it: love is always worth the heartbreak. Pets come into our lives for such a short time, yet they manage to leave memories that last forever. They remind us to savor the simple moments— walks, cuddles, quiet companionship—and to give our whole hearts without hesitation.

February: Rewards of Being a Writer

Got an email about my book today: “Just want to thank you so much for your book. I am so thrilled that I ordered this gem. I can tell already it’s a real find and is going to serve me well as I begin my journey into my encore career of writing. Thank you, thank you for all the work you put into this. It is the perfect and only book I’m going to need to help me along.

One of the best rewards of being a writer is hearing from readers whose lives have been touched by your words. I was thrilled that my book, The Next Chapter: Writing in Retirement, would help guide this woman on her own writing journey.

Likewise, after my book, I’m Your Daughter, Julie: Caring for a Parent with Dementia, was published, I was deeply moved by caregivers who reached out to share ways the book supported them and helped make their journey a little easier.

I’m so thankful for the many heartfelt reviews both these books received. By the way, if you want to make a writer’s day, post a quick review of their book. It means the world to us authors. It’s a guaranteed happy dance at our end!

In moments like these, all the hours spent drafting, revising, doubting, and rewriting suddenly feel worth it. Knowing that something I created may help improve a life or inspire someone to find their voice is the kind of encouragement that keeps writers going.

Life Lesson: Your stories matter, and sometimes they reach exactly the person who needs them most.

March: Lessons from the Emerald Isle

Didn’t know I needed to get away so bad, but I feel so refreshed and calm since I’ve returned home.

Traveling to Ireland felt like stepping into a storybook. Lush green hills, ancient stone castles, cozy pubs, and people who treated strangers like old friends.

But beyond the breathtaking scenery, the trip offered a few reminders I needed. After all, stepping outside your routine can open your heart in unexpected ways.

Click here to read my blog if you’d like to learn more about this life-changing trip. Let’s just say, I came home with a deeper appreciation for both adventure and home, grateful for the gentle wisdom that travel always seems to give.

Life Lesson: Ireland taught me to slow down and savor the moment, whether it’s lingering over a pint of Guinness, listening to lively music, or standing in quiet awe on the Cliffs of Moher.

April: The Joy of Watching Dreams Come True

Just got back from Las Vegas where Chris got his bachelors degree in education. So proud of him in every way!

Watching my son, Chris—who just turned 40 and earned his degree while working full-time as an interpreter for the deaf, and as a husband and father—walk across the stage reminded me of the power of dedication and determination. He worked hard, stayed focused, and chased a dream that mattered to him. Seeing it all come together was inspiring.

This year, both my sons and my granddaughter will be adding new educational degrees to their names. Remarkable feats for my oldest son, who’s juggling studies while raising three teenagers as a single dad and my granddaughter who is working full-time training gymnasts while earning her degree. My heart bursts with pride for all of them!

Life Lesson: Pursuing your goals, no matter how long it takes or how many challenges pop up along the way, makes it that much sweeter when achieved. It’s a beautiful reminder that dreams don’t just happen. You build them, one step at a time.

May: A Spiritual Journey in the Southwest

First stop on our Arizona/Utah trip: Antelope Canyon in northern Arizona. A slot canyon of sandstone, carved by years of wind and water. Nothing short of spectacular.

Surrounded by the sweeping deserts and towering rock formations of Arizona and Utah, we felt renewed and reminded that beauty still waits around every bend.

Our trip was inspired by our volunteer work, and it turned out to be even more meaningful than we imagined. The local congregation we worked with welcomed us with open arms—kind, loving, and genuinely appreciative of our efforts. Their warmth made us feel instantly at home, and the time we spent together deepened our faith as much as it strengthened our friendships.

Although the trip began with some sightseeing, including Arches National Park, it quickly became a beautiful spiritual experience, one that left us encouraged, uplifted, and grateful.

Life lesson: When you give of yourself with a sincere heart, you receive far more in return.

June: Keeping the Adventure Alive

Our 47th anniversary was today. My surprise gift to Scott: indoor sky diving. We both tried it. Scott loved it. It was a one-time thing for me, but was still quite the experience! Afterwards dinner with an ocean view. We know how fortunate we are.

Getting older doesn’t mean you must stick with what’s familiar. In fact, it can be the perfect time to try new things. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby, learning a new skill, or simply stepping outside your comfort zone, each new experience keeps life vibrant and exciting.

If you happen to have a spouse that has the same philosophy, all the better! If not, grab a friend or go solo and savor the adventure. These moments keep life fresh and fun.

So glad that over the years, my husband and I still choose curiosity over routine, adventure over comfort zones, and each other above everything else. That makes our journey together through life even more fulfilling and extraordinary.

Life Lesson: Trying new things—together or on your own—keeps the heart young, no matter how many years go by.

July: A Close-Knit Crew

Chris and Johnni [youngest son and daughter-in-law] came down for a few days. Paige [youngest granddaughter] stood up on the surf board for the first time. Chris had minor surgery, so we took Paige to the beach again so he could get some rest. The next day, Jonathan [oldest son] and his kids came and we all went sailing. Now I’m going to bed.

We feel so blessed that our kids and grandkids still want to spend time with us. Not just for short, dutiful visits, but for memory-making days filled with adventure and conversations that spill into the evening.

Having a close-knit family is one of life’s greatest gifts, and we treasure every moment of the beautiful chaos they bring.

And then, of course, the minute they all pull out of the driveway, we look at each other, kick off our shoes, and crash like two exhausted camp counselors who survived another joyful family whirlwind.

Life Lesson: The fuller the house, the fuller the heart. Even if it leaves you needing a nap.

August: The Unthinkable Moment We All Face

Yesterday, we said our goodbyes to Rodney [father-in-law]. It was a long, exhausting day. He is a shell of himself now and in constant pain. It is time for his suffering to come to an end. 

Rodney was a deeply spiritual man and a widower who never failed to charm the ladies in his later years, without even trying. He loved spending unhurried time with his family and often joined us for trips to the local zoo, giving the grandkids rides on his scooter. In retirement, he settled into a quiet, comforting routine that suited him—busy with his faith-based activities, running familiar errands around town, and the simple pleasures that gave his days shape and meaning.

However, after a bad car accident, he was never the same. His injuries along with diabetes led to multiple amputations, defibration more than once, constant pain, and endless time in hospitals and rehab centers. It was heartbreaking to watch.

When he died, my husband became a “boomer orphan.” Losing your parents is something everyone faces. Strange though, even when you’re expecting the dreaded phone call and know death is imminent, you’re still shocked when it happens.

Life Lesson: When we lose a parent, we’re reminded painfully of how fragile and finite our time together really is. It teaches us to cherish the stories we heard a thousand times, love more intentionally, and hold the people who remain a little closer. In their memory, we learn to live in a way that honors the love they gave us.

September: The Beauty of Everyday Life

A pretty normal couple of weeks, thankfully. Focusing a bit on us.

There’s a quiet comfort in normalcy. Focusing on the simple rhythms of life — morning sunlight coming through a window, a familiar walk in the neighborhood, quiet evenings reading a book while sipping tea, and other small routines—grounds us in a way that extraordinary moments often can’t.

It’s in these ordinary days that we reconnect, recharge, and remember what really matters: our spirituality, our family, our home, and the steady heartbeat of everyday life.

These quiet, slow days may seem uneventful, but it’s the foundation that keeps us balanced, centered, and ready for whatever comes next.

Life Lesson: These kind of days remind us that life doesn’t always need to be big or dramatic to feel meaningful. Embracing simplicity holds the power to renew us.

October: Sailing Into Autumn’s Calm

The boat was leaning hard today.

We’ve been sailing the ocean for about 40 years now, ever since my father bought a sailboat from a friend on a whim. What started out as a shared curiosity turned into a lifelong love affair with the sea.

Sailing in the fall is a special treat. The summer crowds are gone and the golden glow of the season turns every ripple into something enchanting.

Why is sailing so addictive? As I wrote in a previous blog, it’s the feel of brisk sea air in your face, the disconnection from all the stress, noise, and worries, the sounds of the gentle lapping of the water at the helm, and the hum of the wind in the sails. Add to that a deep connection with nature and a sense of serenity.

If you’ve never experienced it, I can’t recommend it enough. Give it a try if you ever get the chance, and let the magic of sailing speak for itself.

Life Lesson: Sailing reminds us that slowing down isn’t losing momentum. It’s making space to appreciate the beauty we so often rush past.

I turned 65 in November. Yay, Medicare, here we come! But the month quickly reminded us that getting older definitely isn’t for sissies.

Scott, was diagnosed with basal cell skin cancer, that required nose surgery and a chemotherapy cream that burned and itched like crazy. Then, while I was innocently enjoying a bowl of popcorn, an infected tooth cracked in half and had to be pulled. My first bridge is now in the works.

Just when we thought we’d had enough surprises, Scott filled the toilet bowl with blood. We feared internal bleeding, but it turned out to be a burst polyp or diverticula, already in the process of healing itself.

Definitely not fun, but a little laughter goes a long way. The hospital rooms were full, so we spent the entire night in the noisy, overcrowded ER. I was given nothing but a metal folding chair, and after a few hours my back was screaming in protest. Scott finally patted the six inches of space beside him and invited me to share his tiny ER bed. An offer I gladly accepted.

“Welcome to my boudoir, darling,” he joked. “Please ignore the fluorescent lighting and the romantic hum of beeping machines.” And that’s why I love this man!

Life Lesson: Getting older may come with a few unwelcome surprises, but meeting them with resilience—and a little humor—makes the journey a whole lot easier.

December: Finding the Fun Again

I’m cracking myself up.

My current writing project is a humorous book on aging. Stay tuned for more information about a publication date which will be announced in 2026.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed helping others start their writing journey in my latest book, The Next Chapter: Writing in Retirement, but it included a lot of technical writing. Writing this humorous book has felt like stepping out of a stuffy conference room and into a room full of friends who know how to laugh at life’s absurdities.

In other words, this project has been pure joy. Exploring the quirks of aging through playful, familiar characters has brought me lighthearted moments, unexpected chuckles, and a sense of freedom I didn’t realize I’d been missing.

It’s reminding me why I fell in love with writing in the first place: the chance to laugh, connect, and not take everything (including myself) quite so seriously.

Life Lesson: Sometimes the best way to move forward is to let yourself laugh again.

Reflection and Renewal