2016 is finally ending. Personally, I’ve had some of the highest highs and lowest lows this year. My daughter’s lengthy recovery from ACL surgery was a low–her graduating from high school and making it through her first semester of college with wit and grit–a high. My son being home doing an internship he loved–a high. My husband being stressed at work–a low. A trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar–my first ever to a developing country–a major high. My transition from everyday mom to no kids at home– a messy mixture of both highs and lows.
And then the election. A battering of our country playing out on live tv, 24/7 twitter feeds and CNN breaking news. A man (and I used that term loosely and with apologies to real men everywhere) who seemed to be a living, breathing game of Cards Against Humanity vs. a woman who didn’t know how to use e-mail, but who had, for 30 years worked in public service, including serving as first lady for almost a decade and secretary of state for four years. And just when we all thought the glass ceiling would shatter into a million pieces of joy, disbelief, shock and awe–the man won the election–the man whose words had sliced through so many of our hearts and beliefs had somehow made it to the top of the hill. And at least three million of us, were stunned and terrified and wondered, as we still do, what will become of us, now that human decency is dead.
Ah yes, the election was a major LOW for me and so many others. While the man’s supporters would tell those of us who voted for Hillary to just get over ourselves, already, they clearly don’t understand the extent of the terror we feel.
I go into 2017 with hope for my family and those I love. I will work hard on those issues that I hold close, to make sure they continue to flourish. I hope our country will somehow be ok, although I will have to employ some magical thinking to make that resonate.
Personally, I hope to write more, worry less, do more yoga, fucking meditate, be my best self more than not, love intensely those who are important to me, have more fun, find gratitude in every day, and keep hope alive.
Happy new years to everybody, everywhere! Thanks for reading. xoxo
Do you need a little Christmas right this very minute? Or a break from the hustle and bustle of boxes and bows, a respite from get, get, get? Head over to 
Today I bring you a good laugh. Who doesn’t need a good laugh in these dark days of you know who at the helm, not to mention these dark days (only 264 more hours until the days get longer again–parade!). I love me some William Sonoma, but you know, it’s marketed to the over-the-top family who doesn’t exist except in our sugar plum-laden dreams. 
*the gratitude-a-thon 