Friends come in handy, but family is family.

2020 tested everyone, and I think we all took a big, deep breath on December 31. Unfortunately, the world as we know it now kept on spinning, and my family’s been taking some heavy hits throughout 2021 already. And on both sides.

But through all of this, I’m getting to see the ones I love in ways I’ve never seen before. They are strong. And smart. And talented. And emotional. And insecure. And winging it just like the rest of us. They have their good days and their bad days. And their really, really bad days. They get sick and tired and relieved and excited and overwhelmed and underwhelmed and get right back up the next day and do it all over again.

I admire my strength. I admire my drive. I admire my ability to figure things out. And now, I know exactly where I got it from. And I admire them most.