As I sit down to write this, I want to take a moment to thank each one of you for sticking with me through this rollercoaster of a year. 2024 started with promise, and then life happened—gallbladder surgery in July, two basement floods that turned our family play area into a constant reminder of chaos, and a growth on my thyroid (thankfully benign) that added stress before bringing relief. I’m still healing, still finding my footing, and somewhere in there, also navigating perimenopause and the fog that seems to settle in whenever I least expect it. Oh, and there’s the divorce, nearing its close.
This isn’t about gaining sympathy—I'm sharing this because maybe, just maybe, it reminds someone reading that they’re not alone. We all have a load to carry, and it's okay to acknowledge that it's heavy. I’ve missed connecting with you all during my absence, and I'm so sorry if it’s felt like I've been distant. The truth is, I was simply drained. But through it all, I’m rediscovering my love for creating, for making things that add a little more joy and time to your days.
As I slowly get back into the groove, I want to extend a reminder to each of you: be gentle with yourselves and each other. Life is unpredictable and challenging, but we're stronger together. Let’s lift each other up in whatever small ways we can. Thank you for your kindness, your patience, and for being here. Here’s to moving forward with grace, resilience, and a bit of joy. We’ve got this, friend!
With all my gratitude,
Lesley
