Quick Life Update: Embracing the Ups and Downs

Catching you up with what has been happening in our lives.

Graphic by nialowwa

By Linda & Doug

Here we are, the Thanksgiving turkey has been devoured and we’re barreling toward Christmas and the New Year. We thought this was a good time to catch you up with what has been happening in our lives. Spoiler alert: it’s been a mix of joy, chaos, and some curveballs we never saw coming. In other words, it’s just life doing its thing. Alright, let’s dive on in.

The Joys of Grandparenting 

Let’s begin with the positives. Anybody who has ever spent time with two-year-olds knows they’re equal parts adorable and exhausting. Our two grandsons have been a bright spot in our year—keeping us laughing and reminding us what pure, unfiltered joy looks like. Whether it’s chasing bubbles, “helping” in the garden, or laughing at the dog doing something ridiculous, they’ve brought us a sense of joy that we’re sure many of you grandparents out there can appreciate.

And that’s not all the good news. We’re adding a baby granddaughter to the mix literally any day now! We’re already imagining the chaos—and love—of three little ones running around. It’s good chaos that keeps you going when life gets hard. (And the best part? After a day of delightful chaos, we get to hand them back to their parents!)

Health Challenges and Hard Truths 

But life hasn’t just been laughs and toddler antics. This year brought some health challenges that we really didn’t expect, which have tested us. We both dealt with Covid earlier in the year, and that was no fun, but doable. Then Doug got hit with Lyme disease, from a tick—which was far worse than Covid. Those were hard enough, but in September, everything shifted when Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Hearing those words knocked us for a loop. Cancer is one of those things you think happens to other people, until it doesn’t. The weeks that followed since have been a blur of doctor appointments, tests, surgery, now preparing for radiation treatments, and years of monitoring her condition. Watching Linda face this has been equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring. She’s handled it with a strength and determination that leaves me in awe, even on the days when she feels like crumbling.

As you know, she’s no stranger to adversity. If our affair recovery journey taught us anything, it’s that you can get through the hardest things by leaning into them rather than running away. It’s messy and uncomfortable, but it’s also how you grow. And right now, those lessons are helping us face this new chapter together.

Aging Parents 

Linda’s mom went into memory care back in February due to her dementia. If you’ve ever been through anything like this, you know how hard it is. There’s no manual for watching someone you love slowly lose pieces of themselves. It’s tough, but we’re grateful for the amazing caregivers who are helping her navigate this new chapter.

Doug’s 93-year-old parents have also been on our minds this year. His dad’s health is failing, and his mom is in the late stages of dementia as well. They still live at home – a few hours away (with his sister and her husband), which makes it tough to be there as much as we’d like, but we do what we can.

Putting Travel and “Plans” on Hold 

This year we had dreams of RV trips and big adventures, but as you see, life had other plans. The RV barely made it out of storage, and a long-distance road trip wasn’t in the cards this year. At first, that felt like a loss—something else cancer and taking care of others was taking from us. But as time went on, we realized something important: the best adventures don’t always involve hitting the road. That said, we hope to hit the road once Linda is through with her radiation treatment.

This year the little things have become the big things. Time together in the morning. Quiet evenings at home binge-watching Netflix and watching football. Watching our active grandsons do some silly, crazy stunts. These moments might not be Instagram-worthy, but they keep us going. Life’s not always about grand plans; sometimes it’s about finding joy in the simple, everyday stuff.

Holiday Season: Gratitude and Reflection 

With the Christmas season fast approaching, we find ourselves reflecting more deeply on what matters most. The holidays are typically those times of big meals, decorations, and the occasional family chaos. But this year, they feel different. They feel more subdued, more meaningful.

We’re leaning into gratitude—not the superficial kind, but the real, messy gratitude that comes from knowing life isn’t perfect and loving it anyway. We’re thankful for family, for health (even if it’s a work in progress), and for the lessons we’ve learned this year about resilience and connection.

The holidays are also giving us hope for the future. Hope for Linda’s recovery. Hope for the joy our new granddaughter will bring. Hope for more laughter, more love, and maybe even a little less drama in the year ahead.

Finding Light in the Darkness 

This year has taught us much about resilience, love, and showing up. It has reminded us that life does not have to be perfect for it to be beautiful. And most of all, it’s taught us to lean into a mess with open hearts and open minds.

If you’re reading this and feeling like life’s throwing you one curveball after another, know that you’re not alone. There’s always a reason to keep going, even if it’s as small as a toddler’s laugh or the promise of a new baby.

During the holiday season we hope you’ll take a moment to pause, breathe, and hug your loved ones a little tighter. Find joy in the little things, laugh when you can, and let yourself feel all the feels. Because life, with all its ups and downs, is worth showing up for.

Thanks for being part of our journey and letting us be part of yours. Here’s to a holiday season – and new year – filled with love, hope, and maybe even a little peace.

Linda & Doug