It’s here…the new year, a fresh start. And so it begins–the seemingly obligatory moment of stating my commitments for 2024. The question of “What is your new year’s resolution?” rings in the air. But sometimes this moment that should be filled with hope and resolve is tainted with my reflection on the past year. 

Instead of focusing on the beauty of 2023, the perfectionist and achiever lurking inside of me thinks about the things that weren’t accomplished. No violin lessons for my daughter. No taekwondo lessons for my son. No camping trips with the family. The list goes on and on–the chore chart that didn’t get started, the learning stations that never got set up in the living room, the decluttering of my house that is still calling my name. 

Then fortunately, the moment passes. I am brought to the present. My kids run towards me in excitement, a kind friend surprises us with a plate of homemade holiday cookies on our porch, and I feel the warmth of our house overfilled with Christmas decorations (we let our four-year-old be in charge this year, so it’s extra festive).

A new moment emerges–one in which I am humbled and reminded of the importance of practicing gratitude and embracing what surrounds me. I didn’t get everything on my list done, but so what? 

In the end, 2023 was still full of all the things that matter. After a pandemic break from traveling, we visited family in Kauai (my youngest rode a plane for the first time). My daughter learned to roller skate. We hung out at the pool all summer with friends and family. We experienced an abundance of love, laughter, and good food. 

And so, I welcome the new year with the realization that I have everything I need to begin. While I am filled with hope for all that may be, I am also comforted in knowing that 2024 will not be defined by my expectations…that in spite of my expectations, the year will be full.

My family will bring in 2024 with Scrabble, Mario Kart, and Martnelli's sparkling apple cider. I will bask in this moment and know I am enough. My daughter is enough. My son is enough. My husband is enough. Our family is enough. The life we have is enough. The year is already full.