12.31.19 at 11:31pm

I’m sitting downstairs in our basement. It’s the last day of the year—the last day of the decade even—and I’m by myself. Fox is almost three, Mae just turned 14 months yesterday, Woody is 40, and they’re all sick. Coughs, runny noses, and headaches.

A decade ago, if you’d described this night to me—in my pjs ringing in a new decade “alone,” I probably would’ve felt like it wasn’t enough—not exciting enough, not special enough, not meaningful enough. And if I’m honest, I was tempted to feel that way tonight when Woody started to feel so badly he had to just go to sleep.

But as I heard the word “alone” ring in my mind and felt sadness in it, I realized I’m not alone at all. My home is full of the three people who make my life unendingly rich, meaningful, and full of love. I may be the only one awake, but I am in no way alone on this New Years Eve.

And sitting here now, with the clock close to midnight, I’m content, peaceful, and happy—letting me know this decade has brought me exactly to a place I want to be, and it is more than enough.

Happy New Year and New Decade, friends.