January 1, 2025

Going over last night’s NYE party in my head this morning, I couldn’t help but immediately think of the good conversation I had.

ConversationS. There was a lot of them. I’ve been trying to make a list in my head…

Italian families. Going to Catholic school. How can we get more people to come live here in Garrett County? What’s happening to our local schools? We have a housing problem. Baking cookies. Freezing cookies. Driving around in big cities and how those big cities make us love living here. Clothes found at new local vintage shop. My colorful 90s velour jacket from that vintage shop. Cutting out sugars, carbs and exercising more.

I also have been thinking that I didn’t get to talk to my friend Julie enough. Or my friend Collen. Also my friend Mike.

Maybe this is a goal for 2025. I’m not much of a goal-setter or resolution-maker, but I do appreciate good conversation and maybe in this new year I can make a point to have more of it.

And maybe you could do the same.

The things we learn, the goodness we feel, the problems we’re able to solve, and the questions we can ask when conversation is had…what a valuable thing! When we strip away distractions and selfishness and being on our phones (for everything besides actually talking) and intentionally become calm and quiet to sit (or stand around the kitchen island filled with snacks and drinks) and talk with someone, LISTEN to someone…all of the above is a possibility.

And the morning after, we’ll be left with continued thoughts of those conversations because they were so good, and we’re so thankful for them.

Thankful for my friend Julie and her parents who host us…and thankful for everyone I had the opportunity to have good conversation with last night. Let’s have lots of conversations in 2025, friends!

Here’s a snap from my 2007 point and shoot camera that I took during my birthday party at a vintage shop. Two friends, Julie on the right, having conversation. I remember hearing them share family Christmas plans.