"the clanking of crystal"

I recently asked my youngest niece what she was excited about for 2026. She shared some lovely things, only one of which I predicted, and then as the thoughtful & skilled conversationalist she is, she reciprocated the question.

And in the moment I had . . . nothing.

Not because I have nothing. My mind just went blank.

After a year that demanded so much of me, that yielded incredibly beautiful results beside incredibly painful outcomes, being excited feels like a dangerous luxury.

Hope, like most worthwhile pieces of the human experience, exists only in vulnerability.

And I had a choice, keep to the safety of a mind unwilling to risk materializing thoughts of excitement, or I could find a way to continue the conversation and articulate some precious things.

I chose the latter. I shared a few things, the last of which was a hope that 2026 would pleasantly surprise me.

Before noon today, I was surprised by a few different & wonderful things.
1. my favorite band is releasing a concert film in theatres this year
2. exceeded a personal goal I set for myself at work
3. a gift that speaks directly to my inner child

I know 2026 will have its own unpleasant surprises, but I will do my best to keep hoping & keep an eye out for the good surprises. I hope you will too.

so this is the new year
and I don't feel any different
the clanking of crystal
explosions off in the distance
"The New Year" - Death Cab for Cutie