A Practical Walk

What a weird start to the New Year! We’ve been sick, my Grandpa passed away, and a winter storm swept over much of the US! I thought I’d share some lowlights and highlights from this past month.

Lowlights

• My Grandpa passing away, was obviously a low-light, but in the midst of it, I have so much to be thankful for: he’s a believer and I got to fly up and see him one last time.

If I had flown back just a little later, I would’ve ended up with a canceled flight due to the winter storm.

• Sickness….It started over Christmas, we started getting some kind of nasty cold. While in New York I got a short-lived stomach bug. Then upon arrival back home, my son was sniffly again and so another cold came into the family! My hope is that we’re building up our immune systems and will be healthy the rest of the year!

Little did I know when I took this selfie with snow in NY, I’d be seeing more of the fluffy stuff right after getting back home!

Highlights

• Even though the reason for my trip up north was a sad one, I’m thankful for the time I got with my family. Snow hike with the nieces and nephews, many meals sitting and chatting with siblings and their spouses, seeing my other Grandparents, getting time with my mom and dad, and seeing aunts, uncles, and cousins all made for special moments.
• My son got his drivers liscense! Now our whole household can drive!
• What a treat for this part of Texas to get as much snow as we did, and for it to stay awhile and not melt in half a day!

Nacho, our cat, didn’t get the memo that we were trying to keep the snow in the front pristine and un-foot-printed.

A friend has started writing hand-written notes and sending them in her homemade cards. Finding these in my mailbox absolutely brightens my day!

What’re some highlights or lowlights from your January 2026?