Life can change in an instant. One moment you're laughing with your husband, and the next, everything you know transforms forever. This past year and a half brought profound changes to my life, as I lost both my husband and my mother within five months of each other. The feeling of being broken filled every inch of my body, and suddenly I found myself navigating a new normal I never expected to face.
The daily challenges were overwhelming at first—getting up, leaving the house, being around others. But the hardest challenge was trying to comfort my children when I wasn't in a good space myself. As a parent, you want to shield your children from pain, but sometimes the best thing you can do is learn to heal together.
Through this journey, I've learned that grief and gratitude can coexist. I can hear my husband and mom encouraging me to stay strong, to live well, and to find happiness again. This past holiday season brought this lesson home in the most beautiful way. As my family gathered for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the sound of laughter and music filled our home, along with the scattered shoes at the front door and the aroma of good food. Watching my kids, siblings, nieces, and nephews enjoying the holidays brought pure joy to my heart and showed me that while life changes, love endures.
While I can't control what life throws my way, I've discovered that contributing to my family's happiness has become my strength and purpose. This revelation has helped me approach each day with renewed perspective, much like the journey I've experienced during my 18 years with MA Private Wealth. This firm has been more than a workplace—it's been a community that has given me the opportunity to grow, learn from the best, and most importantly, the space to heal when I needed it most.
As I welcome 2025, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and excitement for what's ahead. Yes, I miss my old life, but I'm learning to embrace this new chapter, especially with the anticipation of welcoming my granddaughter this summer. She represents hope, joy, and the beautiful way life continues to unfold, even after our darkest moments.
Here's to peace, joy, and an amazing year ahead!