Let's wrap this thing up

Family how yall feelin'?

Friends yall alright?

There have been few times where I'm speechless but 2023 has sealed the deal. As I reflect on my year I can't help but want it to be over, while choosing to see the many glitches as gifts. I don't have much whimsical wisdom to offer this year. I'm still actively processing how to embrace the growing pains. But I'm still standing, so lets walk through 23' and allow me to share the gift of my year at a glance.

January

This moment forecasted the calm before the storm. An embrace of something beautiful that would require a deep push, some intentional nurture and care... the birthing of 2023 is personal for me and I am grateful to share it.

February

Five year old Lia would be amazed that she's conquered the feat of being a mother of two. I can hear my godmom and aunts now saying, "girl please two kids aint nothin" but when your kids are 8 years apart it's a big adjustment. I've laughed and joked but honey these kids have given me a run for my money. Kennedy and I had a thing going: girlfriend can clothe herself, feed herself, wipe herself, allladat. I finally found my rhythm. Then came sleepless nights, postpartum depression, poopy diapers, and I said oh no.... I wasn't readyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! All jokes aside, Jeremiah is the light of our lives, and truly was the missing piece to our family's puzzle. He brings an infectious joy that I didn't know my broken heart would need this year. & For that I am grateful.

March

Grace in grief. I'm still processing this one. This year just hasn't felt the same without you. My godfather was my world, and though my world is still spinning, its tilting in a different direction without the balance of my Uncle Reece! One of the biggest lessons I've learned about loss is the presence of grief is never the absence of love, and though it may not be physical, in the spiritual sense, his spirit is felt all around me. For that I am grateful.

And since were talking about grieving I must add this.... maternity leave in our country sucks! Aint no other explanation. I lost significant income financially, to take time to heal my body. The body that pushed a whole baby out of it while nursing a baby to life and I don't know why that felt more like punishment...I don't think we talk enough about Grieving expectations. Making big moves, stepping out on faith, taking on new adventures, changing our no's, to yes and it feeling more like a burden then a blessing because it was nothing like what we thought it would be... I'm still in my feelings, but God restores, and He's been more than faithful this year... and for that, I am grateful!

April

Kennedy received the mayor's award for academic excellence and leadership and all I can say is this girl never ceases to amaze me. I am grateful.

Jeremiah's first Easter. Celebrating the resurrection of a risen savior and the resurrection of revelation.

April revealed how real post partum depression was for me. So I chopped off some weight in the physical to start shedding the emotional weight that I was struggling to process. Hitting my girl LaSonya with the "hey girl what you doin friday?" text was a game changer. I've found a safe haven of healing in those appointments where I'm not only nourishing my hair care but my soul care. Its been a game changer... and weekly self care will be number one on the list for 24'. & For that I am grateful!

May

I began chapter 31 and my girls always make me feel like celebrating me is a national holiday. Cheers to new memories, all the laughs, the best impromptu tik toks, and alot of love. I am forever grateful!

June

One word,,,,, USHER!!!! Vegas is always a time! Usher is legendary. Consistent friends like Bre are the greatest gift. & For that I am grateful. Our husbands gifted us this weekend and babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy did we enjoy it! Grateful!

July

Travel, family, and history in the making. The Miller- Gilmore reunion is always the place to be every year, and this year in Atlanta DEFINITELY did not disappoint.

As quick as I thought I had it all together is as quick as life reminded me I did not. At the end of July I had emergency surgery to have a portion of my cervix removed because of cancer. Cancer didn't win. I'm still standing. & For that I am grateful.

August

A New school year.... and here's my thoughts...the longer you stay committed to broken systems, the more a fire ignites up under you to remind you of what's cooking inside of you. The world of education better get ready to eat honey because big things are coming. & For that I am grateful.

September

September is One of my favorite months when it comes to celebrations. My sweet ken turned 9! We surprised my mom with a private paint and sip in the presence of her friends and family. && We rounded it up with a classic celebration with the best trio to celebrate our girl Jaz. Sister friends are one of a kind! Forever grateful!

October

I found my smile again. I love that for me. I'm confident I'll have a lot more to smile about in 24'. I'm confident that He who has begun a great work in me, is faithful to complete it. & For that I am grateful!

November

Honey RSV...LMNOP almost took us all out. double ear infections, endless high fevers, body rashes, and too many visits to the emergency room. We've gotten through the worst of it. & our boy is back to his sweet self just in time for Christmas.

December

We made it!!!

*Praise Break

*Stanky leg

*Hammer time

*These dance moves im naming are making me sound old

I don't care what you gotta do, but celebrate honey. You're still standing! Even if you're limping, need some icy hot, or a foot massage, honey you're still here! & for that I am grateful. I don't know what this year has done for you, but as for me. it gets no more of my energy. I'm not clapping back on 23'. I aint swinging.... I aint keyboard banging, honey you can have it. I shared it with my friend like this, "I'm ending this year with my attitude as dry as a popeyes biscuit." I barely made it. Anxiety, depression, grief, loss, heartache, and major disappointment genuinely tried to take me out, but look at me, still in the game. I'm being intentional of who I play with moving forward. And how often I call the time outs to give myself a break, but guess what, I get to choose. I'm walking in a different level of authority empowered by the biggest shot caller of all, God. & As I long as I surrender to that I'm good.

As I wrap up this post and this year, I'm surrounded by a house full of family and for that I am grateful. Its been 5 years since we've all been able to come together. There's been a host of physical illness, family death, and transitions that have kept us a part but we were graced the opportunity to come together, and for that I am grateful! My grandparents get to experience the innocent joy of their great grandkids, and I'm elated to witness this love.

My husband and I are still standing. Through the ebbs and flows of parenting in our first year of marriage it could've counted us out. But we are still standing and I'm grateful for the grace in growth. I love you and I am grateful for where we are in spite of where we could be.

My counselor left me with this simple thought at our last session and so I gift it to you....

2024 equals 8 which is the number of new beginnings. Wrap up 2023 real tight, put a nice pretty bow on it, and honey throw it in the trash because we gettin a redo in 24.

I love yall and wish you the absolute best this holiday season

Yours in love,

Lia Lewis