Thanksgiving has come and gone, and for the first time in a while, I’m genuinely excited to go home. I’m craving routine again — real grounding — after being away so long and only bouncing back for a couple of days at a time. It feels good right now, and I want to hold onto that feeling. I want to stay focused on the good things, the things that remind me life is still capable of being sweet.
Clay has been so attentive and caring lately, and it means more than I can say. I’ve watched him try — even when he’s frustrated — to be kind to my mom, to take the high road again and again. He tries to do the right thing, even when he’s not entirely sure what that is, and that effort matters. He’s showing me that he loves me, that he wants a life with me. Before, I felt like I was always guessing, always trying to interpret. Now he talks about our future openly, and every time he does, I feel hope rush in like fresh air. It’s such a sweet sound.
I’m so grateful to have someone who loves me, and a home to return to — a real home. A house full of love and laughter, full of games and jokes and good food and Jesus, full of people who genuinely care. It feels like such a blessing to get to experience that, to share it, to have both Clay’s family and mine surrounding me. I’ve needed that more than I realized.
Work has been pouring in, too, and it’s been making me feel capable in ways I didn’t before. Seeing my abilities reflected back at me through the work coming in has built a confidence I really needed. It feels like maybe I’m stepping into something stronger, steadier.
I hope this positive end to the year flows into an even better 2026. When I look back, my life has been hard — full of things I had to overcome, battles I never asked for. I’m ready for a future that isn’t such a fight. I want my next season to be one where I can breathe, where I can enjoy life, knowing hardship will still come but doesn’t have to define everything. I’m ready for a softer season. I’m ready for things to be good.
