Hello to all my friends here, old and new. I have not forgotten you, and you all have all been in my heart and on my mind. I have had a few worst times in recent months, but these have been compacted into this past year that have just weighed me down with such a burden it is hard to pick up the pen and write (or, in this case, plug in the keyboard and type).

I will summarize a few highlights (some positive) from the past 12 months:

• Our big fluffy doggo had surgery that was botched and turned into 5 surgeries and ER visits.
• We were told to get out by our landlord, who decided that she was done with us complaining that she was failing to meet even the bare minimum standards for renting.
• While moving, my partner’s Jeep blew the engine.
• I went to therapy for a childhood trauma that I finally faced.
• My partner blew 2 tires out due to road construction.
• Broke my phone screen for the first time in my life.
• Had almost half my friends move out of state, leaving a hole where they were in my life.
• I was able to leave my overdemanding job and started at an amazing firm that has been nothing but supportive.
• My partner had a brain aneurysm burst the 2nd day into that job and spent the next 21 days in the ICU fighting for her life.
• Through tremendous fighting spirit and pure spite (and an amazing boyfriend), my partner made it through months of therapy and day nuero to be able to go back to work in 4.5 months.
• I was in a car accident.
• I lost a friend to cancer who ended up all alone with no help.
• I almost lost my best friend to a bullet to the head.
• Lost more people in my life.
• Endured yet another grueling election cycle with all the headaches, heartaches, and hatred.

These are the main highlights, not including the bad days, extra bills, food costs, and general pettiness that just comes day to day. Through this all, I am reminded of my mental health issues and physical bodily issues that try and hold me back.

Yet I am still standing—maybe not as better than I ever did, but I am still standing.

Days have been taken to just breathe. I have pushed and fought so hard to make it one more day, hell at times, hour by hour, slowly working up to getting back to a normal that no longer exists. And it never will again. Each day and moment makes more of a defining statement that the world we live in is so far above and beyond different than it was 20+ years ago. I see so many chasing that world, which has long gone to the wayside. I weep at the changes and horrors we have faced, still face, and will face in the days to come. I have still held to my simple message.

Be kind.

I have always said that in all these things to be kind. It does not mean to tolerate hate, violence, or evil. Kindness cannot be these things. Kindness is found in the simple things. Like listening before speaking. Saying thank you to those around you. Passing on the good that we have received. Helping those that need the help. Accepting help from those who offer it (a particularly hard one for me). I am reminded daily that I am blessed by those who are in my life and those who I call friends. I have tried hard to curate and foster a sense of people who are good for me and deserve to be in my life. So to all of those who are here, thank you.

So dear readers, I say again, be kind. It is free to give and can help anyone. May we all do better in the coming months.

#hugaplushie my friends.