The Waiting Walk

First of all, how have we actually arrived at the year 2026???

They say time flies as you get older and I have felt the truth of that. But I heard something the other day that has given me pause. It’s the monotony that causes us to have the “time flies” feeling. We do the same things day in and out, and our brain catalogs that as unnecessary to remember in detail, and then we end up with like five distinct memories of the last six months because most of the days were spent doing the same thing as the day before.

Want time to slow down? Do something new each day. Create an adventure, a new experience, or something that just isn’t the same every single day, or at least every week. Pay attention. Notice the details. Relish the moments. Enjoy them. And as you do this, you’ll remember them. And then your six months will have six months full of memories multiple times per week… and time slows down.

You’re welcome. ☺️

Let me know if it works for you!

In keeping with New Year’s traditions, I am choosing a new word for this upcoming year. New Year’s resolutions were never my thing, but a focus or theme for the coming year? This works well for me.

2022 was Freedom. That was a big year.

2023 was Healing. It’s an ongoing goal, but that year was huge.

2024 was Leadership. I loved my leadership roles.

Last year, 2025, was Discovery. And I’ve discovered a lot – both in the beautiful landscape around me, and in the depths inside of me. I was scrolling back through my pictures and I actually did a lot of exploring! I took several trips over the summer, and then in October I made a trip where I slept in my car for the first time. I plan to do some more of that in the future. I enjoyed this discovery part of 2025 so very much.

I also started into an “official” journey of self-discovery by starting individual therapy. I’ve done a lot of work via books and groups and other educational resources, but I’m so very excited about entering a more intense, personal form of therapy. Discovering who I am, really, and why I do and think and want the things I do? I can’t wait to discover so much more about myself and the way I want to continue to interact with the world.

And 2026? I’m so excited about this year in front of me.

This year, I choose Joy!

As 2025 has been drawing to a close, I have been feeling joy in a way and to an extent that I haven’t felt in years. Maybe ever. I posted in part about it on Facebook in December, and so will just share that post here:

Alive.
This is the word I keep coming back to. I feel alive. More alive than I’ve ever felt before. More alive than I ever felt as a child, as a teen, and definitely more alive than I ever felt during my 20 years of marriage and mothering young children.

Why now? Great question. I was telling my therapist today that I think my third and fourth graders are healing a part of my heart that books and adults and formal modalities could never touch. Watching, witnessing, facilitating opportunities where my students just have FUN has unlocked something inside of me. They make silly 8yr old jokes and it cracks me up. I play tag with them in PE and relish the delight they take in tagging their teacher… I listen in wonder as they explain their views on the world and of God. (Sometimes we would do well to adopt a few of those views.) I sense the depth of the questions they ask me or our pastor. My heart sings as I listen to them sing their heart out with their little voices during chapel or class. And when I teach them something new, or when they understand – really understand – a concept for the very first time? I could cry. It’s so beautiful!

And so each morning as I soak up mountain views on my walk to school, I breathe in aliveness. When I hear “Ms. Fresse, you’re the BEST teacher EVER!” my soul pulses with joy. When I’m privileged to listen to our school choirs, bands, or orchestras, I feel the music flowing through my veins. When I’m part of a good discussion at church on who God is and what do any of these Bible stories mean to us today, I am thrilled to my core. And as I snuggle on my couch with Christmas lights twinkling, or burrow into my cozy bed each night, I smile and am wrapped up with such joy at this gift of being so overwhelmingly alive.

Life is rich. God is good. Kids are the bestest. 😉 And I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see what beautiful adventure unfolds next as I keep living and loving my blessed life! 💕

So Happy New Year! I hope it will be filled with Joy (and love and peace and goodness and adventure and whatever else it is that you are choosing to focus on this year)!

May 2026 be the best year yet!