Tributum Newsletter # 82
Hello
It’s a bit earlier than usual, but for many SAFA’s this is the last working day for 2025 (if not already the 12th) and I almost forgot. For the rest of us, someone needs to keep the economy going. Or will we? Do we not often overemphasize the importance of our jobs? What will really happen if you miss that deadline? Will that prevent cancer from being cured or a child dying of hunger? Maybe, just maybe we should not take what we do so seriously from 2026.
But before we get to 2026, what happened to 2025? Feels like a blink of an eye although so much has happened in 2025? Personally, I have loved and I have lost. I have laughed and I have cried. I have toiled and I have rested. I have enjoyed some days while I was frustrated by others. The same as most of you, and as long as the good times were more than the bad times, we can call the year a good one I guess.
Some things I will remember from this year:
- Empty nest as both daughters studies away from home. Both bad and good.
- First holiday alone my wife in 21 years. You can make up your own mind.
- The passing of a good friend. Enough said.
- A few good wines, but also a few Tall Horses. Although the best wine is the one in your glass no matter what it is.
- A few good meals, but also some of my own cooking. No naked chef here…yet.
A bittersweet moment in 2025 was my eldest completing her degree. That part is great (no more study fees yay!), but the reality that she will now enter the world of employment (got a job at least so also yay! – its 1200km away from home so nay!) and adulthood is also a bit scary. Will she cope? Will she be OK? Will we as parents? Will the rest of the world? Uncertainty – the only thing certain in life. We cannot ignore it even if we don’t have to like it.
2025 – a lot to be grateful for, and also a lot to learn from for 2026. And that is all life asks and gives. That we play the game of life, enjoy the good and learn from the bad so that we can try to avoid them in the future.
So, let’s be grateful for the good in 2025 and learn from the bad so that we can try and avoid the same in 2026. But know that in 2026 we will make some bad decisions, that is just life. Are you ready?
Have a blessed festive season and stay safe wherever you are. Until next year, keep breathing.