Over the holidays, I decided to follow my own advice and slow down a bit.

So… I did a puzzle.

I love getting lost in the picture—searching for just the right piece—and that quiet sense of accomplishment when pieces begin to come together. A puzzle takes patience, organization, and forethought. First, you find the edges. Then you sort by color. Slowly, a picture begins to take shape.

As I worked on it, I couldn’t help but notice the parallel to the year we’re closing.

2025 asked us to do the same—set boundaries, sort through challenges and joys, trust the process, and keep going even when the picture wasn’t yet clear. Some days we made big progress; other days, just one small piece fit—and that was enough.

As we step into a new year, perhaps this is our invitation:

to pause, step back, and truly notice what has already come together. To honor the effort, the growth, and the resilience behind each piece.

Wishing you a gentle close to the year and a spacious, intentional beginning to the next.