Wow… another year coming to a close! I feel as if I just celebrated the coming of 2025. Where did the year go?

Looking back, I can honestly say that the year was never dull. The older I get, the more trials I face. Some of them are physical, and others are just life in general. Unexpected things that smack me upside the head, and hard decisions that have to made.

As an author, I didn’t write as much as I have in previous years. However, I did release one new title, “Ardent Adelia,” which I’m thrilled to say has gotten excellent reviews. Yes, I’m happy about them, but not because I like the praise. I’m happy that people enjoy my work. We need more happiness in our lives, and it’s satisfying to know that I can help with that.

I edited many books in 2025, and I always enjoy seeing those titles published. It’s fun sharing another author’s writing journey and contributing to it in a way that I hope is very helpful. I’m honored to be entrusted with their work.

So, what’s in store for 2026? Well… more writing and editing, of course, but the biggest event of the year will start next month. I’m excited to say that my mom has agreed to come and live with us in Tennessee! It will be a big adjustment for all of us, but one that I feel strongly is a great move. I left Idaho, where my mom currently lives, in 1993. So for more than thirty years, I have lived far away from my mom. Before I moved from Idaho, she and I did everything together–like best friends rather than mother and daughter.

I told her that I’m looking forward to having her get to know me as an old lady! It will be good to share life with her again on a regular basis. My husband has been super supportive of the decision, and hopefully, we won’t drive her crazy! My dog, Jax, is going to love having her here. They bonded when she visited a few years ago, and I have no doubt that they will become best buddies.

Here’s Jax being cozy!

Family is so important to me, and the incredible love given to me from the day I was born has molded me into the person I am today. I still have my brother and sister with their families, along with my extended family thanks to my husband and all of his brothers with their wives and children. Of course, we also have our own children and grandchildren! Such amazing blessings!

It has been a little over a year since my dad passed away, but every day, memories of him come to mind. My Aunt Gloria gave me a chime inscripted with his name, date of birth, and date of death. It chimes very softly, and I hung it in my living room above an air vent. When the air blows, the chime sounds. A sound so subtle that it can be hard to hear above the television or conversations, but when it catches my ear, I always smile. Dad!

I hope that you have had a wonderful year and that you’re looking forward to a happy 2026. Instead of the typical resolutions so many people make and usually break within a short amount of time, I learned to choose a word for the year instead. My word for 2026 is faith. Yes, I’ve used that word in the past, but it’s one that popped up so prevalently in my mind that I decided to grab it again.

I will have faith that all will go smoothly with life’s transitions. No doubt, 2026 will bring new challenges, but I’m sure there will also be new opportunities. I’m going to hold onto the faith that whatever comes my way, God will guide me.

Happy New Year!

I love you all!

Jeanne