When Gratitude Walked Up to Our Table

We had stepped out for a New Year vacation, enjoying a warm, happy dinner as the year came to a close, when a young boy walked up to us selling laser lights and glowing party glasses. Slung over his shoulder was a bag full of festive trinkets—things meant to spark joy, yet clearly not meant for him. He wasn’t there to celebrate; he was there to sell, hoping to earn enough to put a decent dinner on the table for his family on New Year’s Eve.

Something about him caught my attention and stayed with me. In that moment, I was reminded of a dream I once held close—to live the life I am living today. A life shaped by effort, patience, and countless struggles. It made me reflect on how hard we have fought to reach where we are, and how easy it is to forget that journey once comfort settles in.

I tried, in my own small way, to help the boy as much as I could. Yet, without realizing it, he gave me something far more valuable. He reminded me why hard work matters. Why perseverance matters. Why ensuring the best for our family should never stop being a priority, no matter how far we’ve come.

As I silently wished him strength and success for the future, I knew this moment would stay with me. This reflection, this gratitude, and this renewed determination—that is the mantra I choose to carry forward into 2026.