Jane was nominated for the 12 Days of Love Letters by her daughter, Karen.

Karen wrote to us to share her mom’s story.

“No matter where we find ourselves we can always start again.”

This holiday season, you encouraged Ed as he walks through one of the most painful heartbreaks imaginable. This past October, Ed lost the love of his life - his best friend. They had been married for 61 years.

Sometimes, we all need the words of someone who cares to act as our lifeboat. This holiday season, you gave Ricky the encouragement that he needs to carry him through the new year.

This November, we collected love letters for Tali— a young woman trying desperately to remember her purpose and rediscover her joy.

There’s no easy answer, but I think it would benefit us all to take fewer cues from societal shoulds, social media, or marketing campaigns, and instead strive to observe the changing seasons of our lives in the way we watch summer blaze into fall, or spring blossom from winter– without judgment or rush to action, with acceptance, with a celebration of the uniqueness, the worth, of each new stage over fruitless yearning for some other time. After all: there’s beauty and value in even the hardest seasons of our lives, if we can accept that suffering is as much a part of life as any positive emotion, if we can accept change as the only constant, if we can accept that all things– both good and bad– eventually pass, if we can try to appreciate rather than resist.

You may specifically not identify with being Black, female, or a minority in a field dominated by people who may not share your ethnicity, background, or culture. However, I do believe that most people can identify with feeling lonely, out of place, disconnected, or like no one understands how you feel or what you’re going through. You may be looking for your “Waldo” amongst a sea of people around you—only to leave feeling that you are the “only one”. I’m here to tell you that you are not alone. You may feel lonely, but you are never alone.

Being an Au Pair taught me: When people take a chance on you it is the most beautiful gift. Whether that is in a job, a relationship or even an experience like being an Au Pair. All you have to do is give it your all and show up with open arms for what you are going to learn. You cannot wait for life to happen to you. You must go and live it.

Fighting loneliness is hard, and if you’re in that fight right now, you’re not alone. I hope you feel more empowered today to face the struggle head on. Just like other emotions, loneliness will come and go, but with the right tools we can maneuver through it and find the true companionship we crave.

Fountain pens are wonderful writing instruments for those who enjoy the heartfelt touch of sending handwritten letters and cards. They are utensils of calm reflection for those who relish curling up with a cup of tea and a journal. If you’ve ever desired to write with a fountain pen, here are some beginner tips you may appreciate knowing first.

Sometimes, you have to leave and not wait for the “perfect” time. It could be other things besides your health that make you leave. The company culture, you need time to look for another job, or simply you need more time off. And that’s okay. I want to normalize letting go without having everything in place.

I am sharing my top gifting strategies (in no specific order) to make holiday shopping (and gift-giving) a much smoother and fun experience for you!

Dip dying paper is one of my favorite ways of making do-it-yourself stationery. It is both simple to do and takes only a few supplies. It is also easy to create a professional-looking design using this technique.

I make a promise to myself. A wish. A hope. A request for renewal. It's always a different promise. But mostly it goes– If I make this leap, I am inviting love and the reward that comes from accomplishing brave acts into my life.

Week after week, I entered the street with a new poem. And each week our community grew more connected…We are on this planet, this neighborhood, this street for only a short time. You might as well know your neighbors and love them too.

Life with Jesus isn’t meant to be easy, but I believe life with Him is meant to be like one of those Choose Your Own Adventure games. Sure, there are tough decisions, but there are also unexpectedly beautiful and fun journeys that ensue. Following the fun is about choosing to reorient our gazes towards God and the glimpses of His glory that we can catch every day. Sometimes, it's the sweet, simple things like choosing to take the scenic way home or adding sprinkles to your ice cream. Other times, it’s the grueling work of squinting to see a slither of joy amid depression. Whatever it might look like, I believe that God hard-wired each of us for fun.

I realized that there is strength in asking for help, and that interdependence, community, and trust is the true mark of self-reliance.

Change is never easy. This past February, you all helped make a hard season a little lighter for a very special person.

This August, we collected love letters for Leana— a mom who has walked through the unimaginable.

Mike’s story is proof that it’s never too late to welcome someone home.