Dec 21, 2025 4 min read The Joy Diaries

I've got my love to keep me warm (and a little light, too)

A little light in your ear

It's been a minute (or two) since I last wrote. I am here, surviving the onslaught of the holiday season and the end of the fall semester like other teachers, students, and parents. The struggle is real, and every time I wanted to write, my body loudly proclaimed that I needed sleep or rest. So I listened. But now, at last, I felt I could write a piece for you again.

Little Joys

November was a fast-paced windstorm of events. Early action college admissions deadlines for my younger son, debate tournaments for my older son, and the mad rush of events that culminate in the holiday season for schools and my work. But it has not been without little joys. The light of earlier sunsets is softer than summer sunsets, not as much blood orange, but more like cotton candy. I don't have a picture of what I mean, but you get the idea. And there is the palpable shift in the quality of the air in autumn. There is something about that crisp autumn air that I can only hear. It sounds like apples being turned with cinnamon and spices before they bake.

And, we enjoyed good coffee and luxurious sunlight in November. We shared good meals. We watched movies.

Big Joys

On top of these little joys are some tremendous joys, too. Our boys are having an excellent season of their lives thus far, with my younger son performing and choreographing dances and committing to his first-choice school before Christmas!

My older son has been competing in his college's debate program for the entire four years of his college career and has been very successful, securing many trophies and accolades. This fall, he and his debate partner became the national champions in parliamentary debate! They compete again after the holidays to retain their title and participate in the prestigious NPDA and NPTE tournaments to secure it at the end of the term. If you want to help him and his partner get to one of the special invitation-only tournaments this winter, please consider donating any amount to his GoFundMe campaign. Every little bit helps them reach their goal.

Friends and former teachers ask me what he will do with all that debating. Will he be a lawyer? Emphatically no. He is planning to attend graduate school to become a debate coach. To quote my former boss, he is 'living the dream' quite literally.

I couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments to date. 💗 I am thrilled they are seizing the day with what brings them bliss. Maybe it's because they know, as some do, that life is too short and it's unknown how many days you may have in peak condition.

Reminder to create time for comfort

We have found a new cafe in town, one of my favorites, Republik! I am glad I can find a little respite walking distance from our place.

Speaking of respite, which has become harder to make time for these days as caregiving responsibilities creep up, I have reminded myself that setting a small intention again is the best approach. This micro goal setting is what helped save me in the past, which is what I wrote about in my first book, 10 Seconds to Zen, Creatively speaking, and to save my life (metaphorically), I am now writing one small poem/musing every morning in a little handmade notebook my dear friend made for me. This tiny ritual is helping me find the light in dark moments. Those who have known me since I was little will know how much the cover of this book means to me. And each page has a hieroglyphic stamped onto it!

Listen to the darkness and hibernate

I like the energy of winter approaching. I feel like, through hibernation, I might find a way back to myself. What about you?

This account made me feel surprise and delight today.

Whatever you do this winter solstice and throughout the winter months, I wish you well. May we each be able to listen to the darkness in winter and hear its song.