Chaos Meets Clarity

As the clock ticks toward the end of 2024, I find myself looking back on the kind of year that leaves you shaking your head and saying, “Well, that escalated quickly.” It’s been a year of twists, turns, and a few literal crashes - because why stop at metaphors when you can have the real thing?

I actually wrote a poem about it - sent it out with my annual Christmas cards. I’d like to share it with you:

In January, BC still felt like home,

But life had a plan to make us once again roam.

With news that shook, as loved ones found,

A battle with cancer, heavy and profound.

We took as a sign, we were too far

Let’s move back to Ontario, let’s pack up the car

February brought a scare on the road,

Beki’s car swerved, but her spirit bestowed.

March rolled in with joy and sorrow,

Hubby lost grandma, left broken for tomorrow.

But a house in Hamilton we bought - a fresh start,

With dreams and a road trip all clear in our heart.

Come April’s start, we are Hamilton-arrived,

All safe and sound, with Obi at our side.

In May, we settle into our new space,

Finally calling the new house our place.

June kicked off with new jobs in stride,

Embracing the city, with its music and pride.

Summer festivals, markets, and concerts galore,

Hamilton’s heart and charm was hard to ignore.

July marked our twenty years of love,

Through ups, downs, and every shove.

Then August struck, a hard blow dealt - 

Beki’s second crash and the pain she felt.

With a broken hip and knee to mend,

Obi proved to be the truest friend.

And family came to help her recover,

A new world and life she’s had to discover.

October brought Daughter and Son near,

For Thanksgiving’s warmth, our hearts did cheer.

A first Thanksgiving in this our new nest,

With family close, feeling truly blessed.

Then there’s the girlfriend, son’s dear,

And boyfriend for daughter, both so near.

They fit right in, their hearts so true,

With love that’s clear in all they do.

To see them smile, to watch them care,

Reminds us what makes life so precious and rare.

Through every trial, dark or bright,

Love’s what fills our world with light.

Even more blessings beyond compare,

With news that lifted so many acare.

Our love ones delivered, both cancer-free,

A gift of health, our hearts filled with glee.

It was a moment of joy, pure and true,

Amid a year of trials, a hope that grew.

To know they’re well, both strong and clear,

Brought light and warmth to the close of the year. 

Now Daughter’s thriving out west in school,

Balancing books and work like a jewel.

Son has risen in the kitchen’s rank,

As Jr. Sous-chef, his talents to thank.

So here’s to 2024, we will not miss,

A year of heartache mixed with bliss.

We’re ready now to close that door,

And welcome what 2025 has in store.

With hope anew and spirits high,

We’ll greet the new year, reach for the sky.

Through all that’s hard, love saw us through

Here’s to a fresh start, and dreams coming true.

And of course, this time of holiday. After years of feeling a little lost during this time, I made a decision: if I want to feel the magic, I have to make the magic. Cue me out in the yard with giant wood cutouts of trees and deer, transforming my space into a winter wonderland. It was messy, time-consuming, and a bit of a workout, but every second was worth it. As the lights flickered to life, I felt like a kid again, standing in the glow of something bigger than myself.

Of course, not everything was simply serious and profound. There were plenty of ridiculous moments too, like discovering just how bad I am at sitting still. Or my brief stint wherein I thought my pre-accident exercises would speed up my recovery, so I attempted some gentle yoga and Pilates. Let’s just say the child’s pose ended up with me being stuck in that position long enough that even Obi began to worry. I likely looked more “confused pretzel” than zen master.

But that’s the thing about life - it’s a mix of the hard, the hilarious, and the heartwarming. This year taught me to embrace all of it. The challenges made me stronger, the quiet moments reminded me to breathe, and the laughter kept me sane.

As 2025 approaches, I’m carrying these lessons with me:

1. When life forces you to slow down, don’t fight it - you might just find something beautiful in the stillness. (Also, I’m not always going to wait for life to force me to slow down as it’s been so beneficial and enlightening).

2. Asking for help isn’t a weakness; it’s a way to let love in.

3. Christmas lights are cheaper than therapy, and twice as effective.

Here’s to a year that wasn’t perfect but was perfectly real, a real situation of chaos meeting clarity - like a falling star tearing through the night. In chaos, burning bright, reckless, untamed, and wild. It blazes a bright trail, a mark of beauty carved in fear, a light that shines against the dark. I think that’s how I would best describe 2024.

What about you? What lessons did it bring your way? If it involved a massive move, a car accident, or a yoga mishap, we might have a lot to talk about. In the meantime, Happy New Year, and may you find (continued) peace and happiness in 2025.

Cheers!

Ⓒ December 2024. Beki Lantos. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission of the author.