She woke feeling a new start with the year 2025 gone and 2026 just beginning. She was once again full of hopes, dreams and ambition to make life better not only for herself but others too.
Then she read the headlines. ACA subsidies stopped causing up to a 26% increase in the insurance she has for her and her children. Another headline announces President Trump stopped childcare subsidy payments to all states, defining a new way to prove qualification that varies based on the state she lives in. Completely unknown this morning is the potential of increased childcare costs.
Her empathy kicks in overdrive as a headline announces Israel has stopped humanitarian aid into Gaza whereby now an already starving people can face even more starvation. In a Swiss Hotel fire dozens died in a fire before the new year arrived. Both give her understanding things could be worse than what she herself is facing. A small comfort in a sea of uncertainty facing a new year she hoped would realize a better life.
No, this was not my morning but it was some woman’s morning and very much a reality. I am fortunate being employed with an income I don’t require subsidies to pay my expenses in health or child care. This does not mean I am not thinking about her who woke with all this uncertainty. I, like her have empathy for those Palestinian’s in Gaza and those families who lost loved ones in the tragic hotel fire. I realize how much different the new year is looking for them.
The new year should bring joy and hope to everyone. Last night was reflecting on things good and bad from last year with hope and choices made to make 2026 better. Yet for many these thoughts never made it to them this year. They knew the risk of what became their reality and now face the wall head-on without any answers to plan for changes now coming. I feel for them greatly.
I have never starved, I have seen starvation. I once lived like her, broke not having two nickels to rub together facing questions and problems with each passing day. I was fortunate in having the strength to get an education, raise children and work to make for a better life. Not all of us have the strength or a friend who gives us the push we need when we need it. Me and others like me want to help; to catch her, support her and comfort her as she struggles day to day; but we cannot know all of them and I choose to write in hopes they find this, find the support they need, want and desire so badly where they can see others have been where she is and fought their way out no matter the cost of the fight. Most importantly that she can win the fight and see a better day.
This is what life is whether we accept it or not. Together in strength, comfort and a hug when needed. Fighting to make our lives better. To care for each other like we humans once did as second nature.
My new year is going to spend more time being who I want to be. Less time worrying about what others think. Judgement does not look good on anyone. Lack of empathy only hurts yourself.
Women tend to bond together easier than our counterpart males. But what about feminine males who want to bond together, yet a society judges. So you see my new year thoughts are all over this year. Even with good years there are snuggles with things and many of those struggles I have hidden. Today you see some of them coming to light on a superficial level.
So as you face your new year with hopes and dreams; take a minute and think about others facing what I wrote above.