This year has not been easy. Between personal battles, the heartbreak of losing one of my dearest friends, and the constant flood of heavy news about autism that hits far too close to home, there have been moments when I’ve felt completely worn down.
And yet—through the cracks of grief and frustration—gratitude keeps finding its way in.
I am grateful for my children, who continue to teach me every day about resilience, joy, and love without conditions. I am grateful for my circle of friends, the ones who consistently show up—whether it’s for a late-night vent session, a quiet dinner, or just a check-in text that says, I see you. I am grateful for the work I get to do in the autism community, even when it’s heavy, because it reminds me that none of us are alone.
Most of all, I am grateful for love—the kind that holds steady when life feels unsteady. The kind that shows up, again and again.
So yes, it’s been a hard year. But it’s also been a year of reminders: that grief and gratitude can live side by side, that love is stronger than loss, and that the people who walk with you through the darkest days are the ones who deserve the loudest thank yous.
Here’s mine. 💙
#gratitudetroughgrief #autismmom #lifelongfriendship #wewillbeokay
