Between Chapters, Taking Stock
Over Thanksgiving, my entire family was together around one table. This was no small gathering. It included family spread across states, different chapters of life, and different ideologies. We don’t all see everything the same way politically, and that’s not new to anyone at the table. What struck me was how easily we stayed present with each other anyway. The conversations were thoughtful, sometimes uncomfortable, and always grounded in shared values, care, and curiosity. There was a real sense of responsibility to one another where no one was trying to convince anyone of anything. Everyone belonged at the table. Honestly, I love that about my family.
That moment stayed with me long after the dishes were cleared. Not because it was sentimental, but because it felt real. Nothing needed to be resolved. No one needed to land a point. We stayed engaged without trying to move each other anywhere, and that steadiness stuck with me.
December tends to create that same kind of space for me. A little room to notice what I’m still carrying and what I’m ready to put down, without rushing to name any of it. This year especially, I’ve felt less interested in wrapping things up neatly and more interested in letting them be what they are.
This time of year often feels like a pause between chapters. Not stepping into what’s next yet, and not closing the books on what’s already happened either. More like taking stock. Paying attention before deciding what actually deserves energy. That moment gave me a clearer picture of what that looks like in practice, and I’ve been reveling in it.
As the year winds down, here’s to carrying a little of that steadiness into whatever comes next.
Happy Holidays!
