As we approach the end of 2024, it's hard not to look back on the past 12 months and think about everything that has happened. From personal triumphs and celebrations to unexpected tragedies and losses, it has been a rollercoaster of a year.
It all started with a trip to Florida in January. Little did we know that this would be the last time we would drive across the Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD. Just 13 weeks later, the bridge would collapse due to a ship hitting it. It was a shocking event that left our community in shock and disbelief.
In February, we celebrated my grandfather's 98th birthday. We were so grateful to have him in our lives and couldn't imagine ever losing him. But just 5 months later, in August, we said goodbye to him. It was a heartbreaking loss, but we were thankful for all the memories and time we had with him.
In March, my father took a fall. We're still not sure exactly what happened, but we believe he may have had a stroke or something similar. It was a scary time for our family as we watched him struggle with his health.
April brought another loss - this time, our neighbor's beloved fur baby Carlos passed away from cancer. It was a difficult time for our community as his presence was greatly missed. Little did we know that just 5 months later, we would also lose our own fur baby.
Losing my best friend's father in April was another blow. He had survived a major car accident back in 2008, but unfortunately, his health deteriorated over the years. His passing was a reminder to cherish every moment with our loved ones and never take them for granted.
My birthday in May was bittersweet as we were dealing with my father's health issues and my mother's MS complications. There was no big celebration, but we were grateful to have each other during this challenging time.
In June, we went through a trip from hell trying to get home with my father unable to walk and the Key Bridge being gone. This also included another episode at my church in MD on Father's Day. On top of that, it was our elementary school's 100 Centennial celebration. It was difficult to fully enjoy the milestone with so much going on.
July brought a heatwave from hell and our neighbor's mega 4th of July party with fireworks. We were amazed at how they managed to put on such a grand celebration despite the hot weather.
But August was a particularly tough month for us. We witnessed the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at a PA rally and lost my grandfather on the same day. It was also the same day that the Key Bridge collapsed and Carlos passed away, making it a triple loss for our family. And to add to the heartache, it was also my grandfather's mother's birthday. It was a day filled with mixed emotions and sadness.
September was a month filled with planning for my grandfather's memorial in the spring. It was important for us to have a big celebration so that all of our friends and family could be a part of it. We were blessed to have had so much time with him and to be able to go on one last bike ride together, something we never thought we would do.
October brought a college reunion with friends, and we are already planning for a bigger one next year that I will be hosting. It was also the start of bonfire season, which brought some much-needed warmth and coziness as we gathered around the fire with loved ones.
In November, President Trump won once again in the presidential race. It was a bittersweet moment as we celebrated his victory but also felt sad that my grandfather couldn't be here to witness it. However, we know that he has the best seat in heaven to watch over us.
As November came to an end, December brought a mix of emotions. I had my next MS infusion. As Christmas approached, we were busy preparing for our annual trip down to Florida for the next six months. It's become a tradition for us to escape the cold winter months and spend them in a warmer climate. Packing up our lives and heading down south has its challenges, but it's always worth it in the end. We were ready for some much-needed rest and relaxation.
As I reflect on the year 2024, I am amazed at how much has happened in just 12 short months. It has been a year filled with highs and lows, but through it all, we have learned to cherish every moment with our loved ones and never take them for granted. Here's to hoping that the next year brings more joy and fewer challenges for all of us. Cheers to 2025!
