Winter Reflections 2025

As I approach the end of 2025, I find myself reflecting on both the joys and the sorrows of this past year. Our sweet dog passed away in May, and my mother in September. In January, it will be two years since my sister died—she was only 60—the very age I turn next week. These crossings have brought Time into focus for me: the passing of it, how we use it, how we prioritize and savor it, how we waste it, and how we cherish it. Time itself has become a companion, and a teacher, occupying much of my attention this year.

And yet, alongside loss and sorrow, joy continues to arise. There have been deeper connections with friends, a simplification of my practice, and a clearer discernment about what to shed—fitting for this past Year of the Snake. I have found myself laughing more, spending unhurried hours in the garden, and taking pleasure in preparing nourishing, delicious food.

I feel deeply grateful for my life—not for the places I’ve been or the possessions I hold, but for the small, ordinary moments that permeate my days and quietly warm my heart. I am grateful to have a body that  moves freely without pain, for the comfort I find in silence, and for the depth of love I feel for my husband and children.

It is a wonderful life. As I look ahead, I remain eager to continue teaching, learning, practicing, and staying fully engaged with it all.