Do not trouble your hearts over much with thoughts of the road ahead. Maybe the paths that you each shall tread are already laid before your feet, even though you do not see them. — J.R.R Tolkien

This year was my most favorite Christmas Eve, ever. There have been lots of Christmas Eves for sure, but this year was my favorite. It was a long, busy Christmas Eve, but there were moments of joy that delighted my heart to its very core.

It was a hug and a kiss on the cheek in the hallway. It was a gift bag full of Star Wars and tie-dye socks. It was a space saved in a packed pew so I could enjoy a moment of the service, too. It was a good hug at the end of a very long day. Simple interactions that probably went unnoticed by others, but not by me. Perhaps even fairly insignificant to the people involved, but not to me.

This Christmas Eve was a snapshot of the past 12 months. The past 12 months were full of little moments of friendship and laughter and queso (because duh). Last Christmas Eve, I was on the way to being happy, truly happy, for the first time. . .ever, I think. In the months since, the journey I began in 2015 has only gotten better. The path has broadened into a wide place. Uncertain still, but wide. I’m grateful for 2015 and all its struggle and pain because it made 2016 that much sweeter. It was not without its struggles, but they were ephemeral and light.

Thank you, friends, for walking this path with me.

Peace be the journey.