The end of 2024

The end of 2024

How to define 2024?

As usual, the wonderful art (and tradition) by the wonderful artist Lelia Alvarez.  I fell in love with her art in 2011 and as soon as she started this tradition, I just embraced it all together :D  With this, of course, I always attached a little reflection on the year that passed and wishes for the year to come. 

I will start by wishing you the best holiday season to all of you.  I know that the year has been extremely intense and heartbreaking for some of you, quite fulfilling for others, and quite exciting as well. I can only hope that 2025 will sort things out in a positive way. I can only hope that you will keep on exploring and experimenting. I can only hope that you will keep on taking care of yourselves, your needs, your dreams, and your desires, and for those who couldn't rest this year, I can wish you all the rest possible. I know it's a bit cheesy, but I really want you to have a better 2025 and be much happier.  Yes, the wishes are the same as last year, but they resonated with me this year and I hope they still resonate with you as well.

Since 2021 things have been really hectic on my side. I told you about my dad's cancer and near-deaths from late 2021 to his somehow stability and ongoing battle with the disease up to this year. He's back to who he used to be and through hard work and dedication, he is far more autonomous and doesn't require as much care as before. I lost a friend to cancer that same year and it had sincerely been difficult for me to cope with that loss, especially when there are things I know she would have loved and I can't tell her about it anymore, but I'm getting there. My twin, in late 2022,  was diagnosed with cancer as well and I honestly thought my life was ending right then and there. I had to pull myself together and I am grateful for the help I got from family and friends to hold onto Hope and communicate it to my twin. I admire her so much, she fought teeth and nails and today, she's officially in recovery. we can only hope that after the mandatory couple of years of observation, all her results would show negative and she would officially be declared cured of that disease. But boy, these last couple of years were sincerely rough on us all, but they pulled through and they fought hard and I am grateful for yet another Christmas I can celebrate with my twin because she is half of me. I don't know how to do life without her. I dreaded losing her because then, what would I do? Needless to say, anxiety and depression were at an all-time high but my therapist truly was god-sent and my support system was awesome. I owe them my life. 

The year had not just been challenging but also very positive come to think of it! Besides the health progress of my dad and twin, I became an aunt and I fell in love with that tiny human my little sister brought on Earth. I count my blessings because I was able to have a very intense and positive year at a very personal level. I am so deeply in love with my partner. He is so awesome, my best friend, a darling, a funny guy who always makes me laugh and makes me feel safe when we're together. We are doing that adult life well and soon enough, I'll be able to openly be excited about a little project of ours :D I'm so happy about my book because now it's being reviewed and proof-read :D  I was able to strengthen my friendships and end those that were toxic to me. I am still baffled at one friendship that ended recently, but I am glad it happened at the end of the year so I can start 2025 on a fresh start!  Thank you darlings. Thank you so much for everything. I felt privileged to share my friends' important moments and to be a friend to them to my best abilities.  I was able to meet new people, broaden my circle of friends, to grow more comfortable in my skin. I still continue my therapy, still, take care of my mental health, and still fuel my creativity.  

yes, I know, it's the same wish for myself as the previous years but why break what works? 

It's been a really good year and I really loved it. I can only wish that the year to come, would top it off or be even better. 

I really hope that you will have a wonderful end of the year and that 2025 will treat you better. 

May