Happy New Year! 

Sorry for the long post but I hope you'll find it worth the read.

Instead of the usual colorful confetti filled images celebrating the turn of the year, I can't help but feel that this image of my house plant, affectionately named Meese, was more fitting.

You see, this past Summer, I put Meese (and his brother Moose) outside on the deck. I thought they would enjoy the sun and the great outdoors rather than being stuck inside. The sun scorched them both and they were bruised and battered, knocked over by strong winds and pelted during storms. They took a beating, Meese more so. I brought him inside after a tinge of frost got him one night and he was looking as sickly and frail as could be. All his once glorious green leaves were now browned, crispy and drooping.

I honestly contemplated throwing him out as he looked that damaged. But instead, I read up on how to try and save him. I fought back the urge to cut all his damaged leaves off and slowly but surely, he started to come back to life. He started to sprout new shoots and even now, amid the Winter season, he continues to do so and has made a complete comeback.

His resiliency made me think of our own lives and how, if given the chance and the right environment, we can shed all the damage and dead stuff and begin to thrive. So my wish for you is that you learn from Meese and grow and thrive in 2025 like you're meant to.