Reflecting on a Year of Growth, Loss and Adventure
As 2024 wraps up, I find myself looking back on the year’s moments - some triumphant, some bittersweet and some downright hilarious. It’s always a toss-up: do the career wins take centre stage, or is it the holidays, the full-heart moments, or those “learning experiences” (aka disasters) that stick in my memory? This year, two big events stand out: the loss of my father and our first overseas family holiday. I want to acknowledge that I am not alone, I see people post on Facebook each Christmas about those that they are missing.
Joining the club of people with an empty chair at Christmas is tough. My dad was the first to burst through the door on Christmas morning, grinning from ear to ear, waiting to see the kids tear into their presents like a pack of enthusiastic puppies. Now, my daughter is stepping up to honour him by making his signature dessert: meringue with ice cream and fruit. Let’s be honest, though- I think she’s mostly in it for the ice cream quality control.
Last week at my work Christmas party, we played a game with a series of questions. One question hit me hard: “If you could pick three people to have lunch with, who would they be?” I knew instantly: my Dad, my Gran, and my Pop. But not wanting to bring down the festive mood, I threw out some celebrity names instead. In my heart, though, I’d give anything to feel their touch, hear their laughter and finally ask all those unanswered questions.
The first Christmas without Dad will be bittersweet. But if I know him, he’d want us to celebrate fully, laugh loudly and eat and drink far too much. So, that’s exactly what we’ll do. We’ll find ways to weave his love and energy into our new traditions, making sure his spirit has a front-row seat at the festivities.
On the brighter side of things, our family ventured overseas for the first time. Let me tell you, there’s nothing like traveling with teenagers to test your patience and humour. Between passport panics and arguments over who gets the window seat, we managed to create memories that will last a lifetime. We explored, we ate things we couldn’t pronounce, and I introduced the kids to the joys of travel, which is fantastic as I will be leaving them at home next time.
Travel mishaps aside, it was a chance to step away from the daily grind and reconnect as a family. Watching my kids’ faces light up as they discovered new cultures reminded me why adventures like this are so important. Plus, I hope they picked up my love of adventure and not just my tendency to overpack.
Work, of course, has its place in my highlights reel. While I didn’t conquer mountains or win awards (well there was that one time), I like to think I’ve made a difference, one small interaction at a time, with the next generation of hospitality superstars. It’s a privilege to work for a company that values me, even if they know full well that family and travel come first (sorry, boss).
As I look ahead to 2025, my goals are simple: more travel with my husband, more time with family and friends, and continuing to thrive in a job I genuinely love. To anyone facing loss this holiday season, I urge you to honor the memories of your loved ones and celebrate in a way that would make them proud.
From my family to yours, have a safe, joyful, and heartwarming Christmas.