Reflections of 2025

I literally do not know where to begin….. Besides January 2025 of course. When this post was first placed in my drafts, I had written in a notebook somewhere highlights of this past year prior to the passing of my mother. Where that notebook is right now – I couldn’t tell you. At the moment, my office is not the most organized. I have called it “Estate Central” since October. A small section of it is dedicated to things of mom’s that I either brought home from her last stay in the hospital or mail and paperwork that I have been working on with our attorney. As Estates go, everything has fallen into place as she had everything in place. 

Before I go back to work from Christmas break, I will work on getting it organized again. But for now – I have just been closing the door…..

I realize I do that a lot – just closing the door….. Closing the door on the office. Closing the door on my thoughts. It is how I protect my peace. I have had a lot on my plate which I have chosen some of it and handed the rest. My cousin and our attorney blessed me in a way that he doesn’t even realize. He said multiple times that afternoon during our first meeting regarding mom’s estate with the words – One thing at a time, Paula. As I walked out of the office he again said – One thing at a time, Paula. And, I find that I say that to myself often – One thing at a time, Paula. So, I have been just closing the door focusing on – One thing at a time, Paula

As I am sitting by the light of the multiple Christmas trees in our living room with the swooshing sound of the dishwasher in the background and the tapping of my keys. I scrolled back on a couple of my Reflection posts beginning with A Look Back on 2021 – She Made It – and the beginning of this one kind of sums up the beginning months of 2025 in part – “I honestly can say that I do not even remember what I did January, February or March. I looked back in my day planner and the things listed in those months were birthdays and days off of school – no rushing to here to there back to here only to go there again.”

As I am writing this – December 28th – the high for the day was 70 degrees. I opened the windows when we got back from Chillicothe and began taking down all of the Christmas trees. We actually slept with the windows open. So strange to be doing that in December! It is suppose to be down in the 30s today so the wind and cold are on their way. Note that in the previous paragraph I was sitting by the light of the Christmas trees and then two days later – we have taken them all down.

To be honest – this year has been a blur. Mom was in and out of the hospital again this year. She didn’t feel like attending Family Dinners often. And, if I am being completely honest, she and I had had a rough year. One where she didn’t like me very much. Loved me – yes. Liked me – not so much. I always pushed and pushed and pushed where she was concerned all in her best interest. Her biggest advocate during the good, the bad and the ugly. But in the end, we were fine and she wanted me and trusted me to handle what she needed and ultimately what my brother needed and still needs.

I have told Gregory that this year has been what some would consider a country song – I lost my cat, my dog, my mom and a friend a few weeks later but the upside is that we are gaining new Greats in 2026. So with that being said – this Reflections post is going to be hit and miss focusing on the highs of the year and not so much the lows. Remember how I close the door – not so sure I want to dig up ALL of the thoughts and things from this year. I guess these reflection posts are kind of like the letters people include in their Christmas cards updating friends and family of the year. We receive one each year and sometimes two from the same families. This year it was only one and honestly it was kind of humdrum and made you feel sorry for the year they had. I do not want that with this reflection to be out there for all to read.

I went to the beach three different times this year – once with GW, once with McKenzie and Samantha and once with GW, Paul, Chelsea, Todd & Morgan.

Ann and Scott moved back “home” which for her is a half an hour away but still closer to “home” than she has been for the last 32 years.

McKenzie has been staying at mom and dad’s house since November. It is her way of healing as she navigates this loss and grieves anew. She is gaining her independence that she has needed. She is learning to cook because she has to not because she wants to. It’s been great for the house too. Life in it. She is taking care of it and all of the utilities. Giving us time to do what needs to be done and not worry about it sitting there empty. Houses deteriorate quickly without life in them. She is full of life filling it with exactly what it needs and deserves as it is doing the same for her. There is a difference in her – in a good way. She is more grown up and I see more confidence in her.

Family Dinners have been fun this year. I’ve already started collecting supplies for their leprechaun traps such as Amazon and cereal boxes along with empty toilet paper rolls. Each of The Greats truly enjoyed building them. I’ll purchase the rest of the supplies along with gold coins for bait. The Greats are growing quickly with more on the way. So stay tuned for the new family additions of 2026. Uncle Greg also had a lollypop plot laid out for them to plant jellybeans and wouldn’t you know that from those jellybeans, tootsie roll pops sprouted for their harvest at the following Family Dinner!

McKenzie interned at Buckeye Hills Career Center from May to July with the marketing director with one more internship to go to complete her senior year in college. It is hard to believe she will be graduating in May 2026 with her Bachelors of Communication.

June and July – In June, Mom, McKenzie and Canaa The Great were all baptized on the same day. Priceless.

I spent a lot of time in Columbus back and forth with Greg helping Ann and Scott pack their home for their move south near us. Ann and I spent more time together than we have in decades. I love having her closer.

August – We really saw Mom’s health decline. She was in inpatient rehab for Bub’s 50th birthday just like she was for my 50th birthday four years prior. Literally shaking my head as I write this. My big boy CASH passed the day after mom’s 81st birthday. And with this, I’m closing the door on this month.

September – Greg and I attended an Ohio State Football game where we watched the game from a private suite. We met up with a friend of mine at his Billybate tailgate prior to the game. MTB is always a host with amazing food, drinks and friendship.

October – November – December – We began a new year of firsts without Mom and are learning to navigate a new world without both of our parents. Together, we can do anything and we shall just as we were raised to do.

Greg and I observed our 23rd anniversary on New Years Eve with lunch together. McKenzie joined us before going home to get her puppy to spend the evening just the way she wanted. New Years Eve also marked the 60th Anniversary of Mom and Daddy’s marriage. I began my day writing about them available here – 60 Years of Devotion.

And, as I close the door on this piece and 2025, I wish you all love, health, wealth and happiness.

Onward & Upward – PGWW