Back in the day when my biggest journalism aspiration was to carry the Sunday paper ALL BY MYSELF, I lived like a rich girl. Those steps I'm about to tackle lead to the front door of a pillared mansion, with a yard that ran from the street in front to the street behind.
I lived in this glorious three-story home for such a brief time that I have no memories of it. But I do know why I lived there: My mother and father rented the house because they could -- and, by God, they wanted to live in a mansion. The stay wasn't lengthy, but it was lovely. When they ran out of rent money, we packed our bags and moved to a small apartment in a far less fabulous part of Kansas City.
The Cambridge Dictionary doesn't cite my parents in its definition of "illogical," but it could: "not reasonable, wise or practical, usually because directed by the emotions rather than careful thought ..."
Moving into a home you can't afford isn't reasonable or wise. It certainly isn't practical. Moving into The Mansion was a ridiculous, romantic adventure -- and well worth every ridiculous, romantic moment. Mom and Dad talked fondly about our family's time in that house for the rest of their lives. We used to drive by it and smile -- I still do now and then. It's beautiful, and it was ours.
Throughout our lives, many of us are are awfully well-trained to be reasonable and practical. Think things through. Look before you leap. Solid advice; I've given it to my girls. Maybe this coming year, we should give ourselves permission to do something simply for the joy of it. Logical or not.
My wish for you in 2026? May you be illogical. May you dream big. May you dream small. May some of those dreams come true. May you surround yourself with people who love and support you. May you find joy and create it. May you live how you want to live. May you carry the loads you're meant to carry all by yourself -- and may you ask for help up those steps when you need it.
Happy New Year, dear hearts!
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