Life Questions for 2026

I feel hope and expansiveness for this fresh new year.

Happy 2026! Life feels fresh and new on the first day of the new year.

Last year was a challenging year for many people including myself. My mother, who is 98, has lived in a memory care facility in Atlanta for the past two years. She is being moved this weekend to the nursing home onsite because she’s not able to walk and is in a wheelchair during the day.

I feel vulnerable when I think of life without her. I’ve heard other people say when something good happens, they reflexively want to pick up the phone and call their mom. I haven’t been able to call her for years. But my sister calls and when I’m not available, Mom has left me voicemails, which are still on my phone. Next week I’m flying to Atlanta to stay with my sister and her husband, while I visit mom in the nursing home. I know this might be the last time I’ll see her.

Our dog, Teddy, is having knee problems and may need knee surgery. He can only walk less than a half mile now before he starts limping. Teddy is my best friend, and follows me everywhere. We’ll take him to the vet next week to find out what the diagnosis his knees.

On the flip side of feeling a loss is the joy of being a grandparent to my three-year-old grandson.

He’s at such a magical age. I never expected to be a grandmother. My son married in his late thirties, but life is a miracle! I get to read books to my grandson and visit on the weekends to play with him.

One of my intentions for the last few years has been to build new connections.

I want to expand my friend groups so I’ve signed up for an embroidery class at the Starlight Knitting Society. I’m not sure I want to start knitting yet, as I’ve always loved taking textile classes. I was an artist in college and worked with handmade felt, which was in a Feltmaking book published in the late 70s.

I’m also intentional about being a good friend and making new friends. This is important as we age.

Here’s some questions I’m asking myself in order to make my life deeper and richer. I hope you find these useful to you.

1. What can I do to make greeting the day a sacred act?

2. What did I learn about myself last year and want to do differently this year?

Three daily questions from Angeles Arrien, who was a cultural anthropologist.

1. Who or what inspired me today?

2. Where did I experience a sense of comfort, peace, and balance?

3. What (not who) made me happy today?

Thank you for being on my subscriber list. You matter to me. I wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

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XO, Sherold