On the eve of my birthday, I’m reflective. It was snowing when I took my pup out this morning. It glittered in the spotlight, so lovely. And as it always does, it brought me great joy. It’s impossible to capture some things with a camera lens. It’s only with our soul that we experience the deepest beauty in this life.

I find myself wondering where the years have gone. Each time I blink, decades seem to pass. My children are grown and making lives for themselves. My nest is empty, save some four legged babies. My house is tidier (except for pet fur), and my heart is full. Thankfulness is my primary emotion. What a beautiful life God has given me. It’s not been without trails, but God’s faithfulness has shone through each one. And as I draw closer to heaven, I am content knowing where I will spend eternity. But I’m also certain I have work yet to do.

The past two years have brought immeasurable pain. My Dad passed suddenly, without warning. My Mom descended deeply into dementia. Both losses are ongoing, and bring tears without warning. And yet, my greatest joy to date was born last May: My first grandchild, a gorgeous baby girl. Depths and heights; all part of this journey.

A dream was also fulfilled this past year. We bought a house at the beach. Not on the beach, as I would have liked, but close. And much more beautiful than I ever imagined. It has all the room we’ll need for our growing family, and more amenities than I ever thought possible. It’s surreal. Every time I pull into the driveway, I can’t quite believe it’s truly ours. But it is. Thank you, God!

The passing of time has a way of putting things in perspective. Things I thought were insurmountable when I was younger are laughable now. Everything changes and yet, there is nothing new under the sun. We’re all looking for love. Acceptance. Encouragement. Kindness. These are the things that make life worthwhile. And all of these are found in our Creator, the God of heaven and earth. In Him we find the meaning of life, and in finding it, we in turn share it with others. We can do without much in this life if we have the Lord.

As I look to another year, I know not a day is promised but today. So I will treasure every moment: The snow falling outside my window, the birds at the feeder, the dog at my feet, the grandchild in my arms, the sand under my shoes. I will work and play, and laugh and cry. And I will be thankful for the pain, for it means I loved and was loved in return. I hope as this year unfolds, I will find new ways to serve God and love others. As Jean-Luc Picard would say, “Make it so!”