January arrived without easing us into the year. No soft landing. No gentle reset. Instead, my husband and I have found ourselves bouncing from hospital to hospital—yes, the dilemma continues—trying to be present, make sense of medical updates, and hold space for everyone involved while quietly managing our own exhaustion.
This month, my dad spent his 89th birthday in the hospital. Alone, yet not alone. We did go see him to celebrate him BUT not in the usual way …. of course he was surrounded by care, however, it’s not the same when the family surrounds you. For me it’s one of those moments that stays with you the kind that reminds you how fragile time really is. It wasn’t fun. It was heavy. And it was heartbreaking in ways that are hard to put into words.
On the professional front, life didn’t pause either. Several of my client incentive programs required significant adjustments. I was originally meant to spend a few months in Punta Cana, on-site, supporting and executing these programs hands-on. That plan had to change. Instead, I’m managing everything remotely. While it may sound manageable on paper, the reality is far more complex. The extra coordination, constant communication, time zone juggling, and problem-solving from afar add a layer of work that’s hard to fully explain unless you’ve lived it. Still, the work continues. Commitments are honored. Somehow, it always gets done.
In the midst of all this, there were also meaningful professional moments that reminded me why I love this industry. I have the honor of serving as a judge for the CMEE industry awards (for the 2nd year) often described as the Oscars of our field. Being part of recognizing excellence, creativity, and resilience within our community was both grounding and uplifting during an otherwise heavy month.
Back in the classroom, I also welcomed a guest speaker who came to inspire my students. Watching their engagement, curiosity, and excitement was a quiet but powerful reminder that mentorship, learning, and encouragement still matter perhaps now more than ever.
In between hospitals, calls, and schedules, we are trying very intentionally to normalize life. Making time for simple activities with friends. Sharing a coffee. Stepping outside, even briefly. These small moments matter more than ever; they ground us and remind us that connection is essential when everything else feels uncertain.
As if all of this weren’t enough, January has delivered exceptionally extreme cold, the kind that makes even the simplest tasks feel heavier. Example my mom, dealing with intense anxiety and increasing difficulty in walking, is essentially cooped up at home. Visiting my dad at the hospital is simply too physically not to mention mentally demanding right now. Watching her struggle with that reality and her wanting so deeply to be by his side, is yet another quiet layer of heartbreak to our days collectively.
We—the kids on both sides—are doing our very best to cope. To support. To show up. To juggle responsibilities, emotions, and expectations while trying to remain steady for everyone else.
January hasn’t offered neatly packaged lessons or shiny moments of inspiration. It has been about endurance. I mean just seeing my mother-in-law after her MASSIVE STROKE struggling day in and day out trying to get back her ‘norm’ in rehab (she is 92years of age) is quite humbling and life changing. All we can do is basically show up. And realize we can only do the best we can with what we have, even when it feels like not enough.
And yet, even in all this heaviness, there are quiet reminders that keep us going. A kind nurse. A thoughtful message from friends. A shared moment of laughter when we least expect it. We’re learning to measure progress not in big wins, but in small mercies—in getting through the day, in showing up for one another, in choosing compassion over being overwhelmed.
January has asked a lot of us, but it has also reminded us of our resilience, our love, and our ability to keep moving forward, one steady step at a time. Welcome to LIFE !!
