It’s been quite the year here at the Zurlnick house. Let’s take a moment to recap. January my dad’s health began to decline, February he passed away, Ella and I got COVID in March, Steve got injured at work in April (which landed him five months home), May we caught our breath, June was dads memorial mass and a week of being admitted to monitor Ella’s seizures, July came and Ella was intubated in the PICU, August landed us yet another hospital admission, September at school and in home nursing started and Ella began attending her new school only to almost immediately be put in quarantine, October we were back in the hospital with Ella just as CJ was put in quarantine, November Jack had tubes put in, and December brought us our first Christmas without dad.

I often ask myself how much more we can endure. It feels like just when things seem to be headed in the right direction we get detoured again. In addition to all the big stuff there are also small little fires we are fighting to extinguish before they ignite even further. Constant insurance battles, scheduling conflicts with nurses, school drama, Jack’s therapies, the stress of being a family who relies solely on a first responders income. It all takes its toll.

Butttttttt, next year I am optimistic our lives will be filled with more blessings. When dad got sick he and mom were looking for a new place to live. Something smaller so they could navigate the space much easier. Something cozy that would feel like home. A space to make new memories and spread love.

Steve and I had an inviting full unfinished basement, filled only with boxes of things I never wanted to part with. Without hesitation my amazing husband offered that space for my parents to live. I mean, how many spouses want their in laws that close? He is definitely one of the good ones.

Before dad died my parents decided they were going to move in, after some renovations were completed. Dad never got to see the project completed but he died knowing mom was going to have a new place to call home, and I would be right there every day to make sure that she was okay and well taken care of.

That being said, our first big blessing of the year will come in January when mom moves in, followed by a million tiny blessings there after. More dinners with mom, more game nights with mom, more hugs, more conversations, but most importantly…more time. After losing dad time is something I make sure I no longer take for granted. It’s been amazing helping mom shop for her new space and to say I am excited to share a home with her again is an understatement. The only one more excited than I am is CJ.

I encourage everyone to find the blessings in 2022!

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