Good Bye 2025


2025 was a s***** year. There's no two ways about it. We have division in our government meaning that nothing gets done. We have division among people which has only brought ugliness and anger in both word and deed. We had historical buildings desecrated. We had citizens of the United States deported despite proof that they were citizens. We had boats blown out of the water with no proof that those in it were committing a crime. It seems to me, and this is only my opinion, that the United States government no longer cares for the people it works for and only for themselves. Selfishness does not begin to describe what is going on in this world. It is disgraceful. It is disgusting.

With all that said, even in the darkness that we have plunged into, there is still some light.  And when icy cold darkness surrounds us, we need to see the light.  We need to appreciate the light.  And yes, we need to be the light.

So as horrid as 2025 was, here are a few things that I appreciated and am grateful for.

  1. "VIP" seating at our local bar and grill whenever our friend is performing there.  Somehow we get a "special table" on the 4th Friday of the month.  I don't know how it happens, it just does.  While there are drink specials, I never get to pick, our server guides me instead. (And yes, she is OUR server...I can't imagine having anyone else other than the incredible Amber on a Friday evening.) The music is great and it's always fun.  (And funny!)
  2. Meeting the new pastor at our church in NJ.  A great guy (I will NEVER forget that he called Mary, the Mother of Jesus a bad ass...and he was right) AND at the "meet and greet" he selflessly recognized that it wasn't just about him, but about our sexton emertius (who was making his first "official" appearance after over a year of being away due to illness.)  It was a joyous afternoon because of them both.  A, the retired sexton, gave his blessing, which was incredibly important.  Our new pastor , who just happens to have the same first name as a beloved [at least by my family] former pastor is an impressive guy, once he's met you he KNOWS you.  His last name also starts with the same initial as the former pastor, so he's been called the wrong name more than once and he takes it with a laugh.  This is what a Christian leader looks like.  (And I will be eternally grateful that I finally got to see A again...he is family to me and he is the reason why my son filled in for a summer.)
  3. My husband's ^0th (you figure it out) birthday party.  So many friends came...driving from NJ and NY to PA to celebrate.  (Yes there were locals too.)  Our friends got to see our new home (although they can still see us at our "old" home in NJ too) and despite some rain (which of course popped up at the most inopportune time), we had a blast.  These were friends of all different ages (some older, some younger) and different beliefs, but everyone got along.  I think I need to have more parties because this one was so wonderful.  (And since I have gotten to know more people in the area, I will have a longer list of invitees!)
  4. Having the people who (sort of) originally owned our house in PA come visit us.  They were not the original owners of the log cabin that was here, but they were the people who expanded it and shaped it into the house that we loved on sight. They were strangers and yet not.  I know they have completely different political beliefs than we do, but that was not part of the conversation.  The conversation was about how this house came to by.  The love and care that they put into it and that we are keeping alive in our own way. They filled us in on so much and even shared some photos. (I am hoping for more because I would like to print some out and frame them.)  I think they really appreciated how we've kept the "integrity" of what they built.  I pretty sure they will be back again next fall and I look forward to it.  

  5. Being a part of the "Riddle House" Halloween tradition.  I've enjoyed watching the giant skeleton on their front lawn change with the seasons and holidays.  I'm thrilled that I was able to help out on Halloween night.  (Even it it was unbearably cold.)  I have never seen so many people at a private residence!  And the bags (pre filled) of candy!  Chocolate, non-chocolate or mixed... I think we've made some wonderful new friends too.  

  6. Celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family in new ways.  Our family is small and holidays have become more challenging.  The holidays have changed for us and not necessarily for the better.  But change is inevitable.  One of our favorite traditions, our neighbor's "Friendsgiving" gathering changed from the Saturday after Thanksgiving to the Saturday before.  And this year there was no turkey.  (Which made my husband sad, but me glad since I'm allergic.)  It was different than years before, but it was most likely less stressful for our neighbors (no cooking; catering) and the "insert yourself into this snow globe" photo op has got to be one of the coolest things EVER.  (Take that Disney.)  Our family has started to do a 2-day celebration, with my wonderful in-laws arriving on Wednesday afternoon and enjoying dinner together and then returning on Thursday morning where we watch the parade.  We have a mid-day meal (interrupting my father-in-law's football viewing) which is a deli feast!  No "traditional" turkey, stuffing, etc., but fun and filling.  It's taken us a couple of years to figure all this out, but this year was a real winner and I'm hoping to replicate it for many years to come.
  7. Being part of 3 different churchs and loving them all.  I can't be back in NJ to attend the 8 (Episcopal) and 10:15 (Presbyterian), but I can "attend" via social media.  That is when I am not attending my local (Pocono Episcopalian) church in person.  Each church is unique and welcoming.  Each enables me to use my talents in different ways.  I have "preached" (I prefer saying that I gave a reflective message) at 2 of them.  I have helped at one's food pantry.  I have helped at one's thrift shop.  I have written for and edited another's monthly newsletter.  I love being part of each one.  I love while each is different, they all embody what I see as a core Christian principal:  love one another.  (And go check out Matthew 23: 34-40 while you're at it.)

  8. A new Christmas tradition of driving up to Skytop for a short time and wishing those who have come to be friends and more a happy holiday.  I don't know who gets more out of it; the people who we go see, hug and chat with for a few minutes (because the resort if incredibly busy) or me.  To share our love and appreciation warms me.  It is simple.  Its is short, but it is profound for me and I intend to keep this tradition as long as I am able.
  9.  Being silly is underrated.  I believe in silliness. When we are younger we have no fear in being silly.  I'm trying to buck that trend.  While it obviously doesn't belong in the workplace (although I suppose that depends on where you work), I like to be silly.  I like to laugh. I believe in the power of laughter.  While this year has been dark, there have been plenty of silly moments in my life.  Most of these moments are with my husband, who is not afraid to be silly either.  There have even been a few with my son.  (Silliness goes out of vogue once the tween age sets in and it doesn't seem to bounce back.  At least not between parents and children. At least that's what I've seen for the most part.  I'd love to be proven wrong.)  I treasure every moment of silliness and laughter.
  10. Since spending time in the Poconos, I've had a greater appreciation for the natural world around me.  It was a joy to watch plants sprout in the yard (even when I didn't know what the heck they were.)  Weeding might have been a major pain, but...I loved being out in the back soaking up the sun.  (I may not photosynthesize like a plant, but I feel like I do.)  Watching the colors change.  I have taken photo after photo (and you are probably tired of that) because nature is just so darned beautiful.  Even the barren trees again the cold gray sky delightful in their own way.  While the death of all the koi in the pond was devastating, watching the goldfish that replaced them grow was amazing.  (Keeping fingers crossed that all goes well this winter...I haven't seen any sign of life as most of the pond has been frozen over and covered with snow, but there IS an open area where the heater and bubbler is so we SHOULD be ok.  If it's not I will be broken again, but I know that we have done everything we should have.)  I put up a strand of Christmas lights around the bush/rock where our driveway meets the street (solar powered since there is no electric nearby) and brush the snow away as I can so that I can peek out and see them at night.  (When I can...a lot are still covered by the snow.)  These things make me happy, and we all need to incorporate what brings us joy and happiness into our lives.
So, good-bye 2025; don't let the door hit you on the a** on the way out.

I am resolving to be kinder, less judgemental and more helpful in 2026.  To listen and think before I speak.  To be a more caring, nurturing and compassionate human being.  Because no matter what we look like or think, we are all HUMAN.  I hope you will consider doing the same. 

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