As the year draws to a close, the air fills with a familiar energy: hope, anticipation, and the universal tradition of making resolutions. People chart their goals, envision fresh starts, and cling to the optimism that a new year inevitably brings. Yet, amidst these rituals, one truth quietly stands: nothing is truly in our hands. The threads of our lives are woven by a force greater than ourselves, and while we plan and strive, only He knows what lies ahead.

The end of 2023 was no different for me. I, too, wished for good things for the two boys who meant the world to me and for Vitasta (Vitasta Publishing), which has given me a sense of purpose. We stepped into the new year with hearts full of hope, naïvely believing in the illusion of control. But life, as it often does, had other plans.

Amid tight deadlines and the frenetic rhythm of work, an unimaginable blow shattered our world. My little boy, the darling of everyone he met, slipped away from us without warning. What began as a fun trip ended in unspeakable grief, the kind that defies logic, reason, and acceptance. Our lives came crashing down, leaving us grappling with a loss so profound that, even after six months, it feels surreal. While the world continued to spin, our own stopped in its tracks.

We returned to the routine of work, the semblance of normalcy, but nothing felt normal. Grief has a way of rewriting every moment, every interaction, leaving a void that no distraction can fill. I have come to realize that grief is not something one conquers or moves past; it is something one learns to live with, a silent companion to the life that goes on.

And so, as the new year approaches, I find myself dreading the unknown. No longer do I feel the pull to plan, to resolve, or to envision the year ahead. Instead, I take each day as it comes, embracing the present moment for what it is. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that life does not follow our scripts. What is meant to happen will happen, irrespective of our hopes or fears.

This surrender is not resignation but a quiet acceptance of life's unpredictability. It is a reminder to cherish what we have today and to hold close the people and moments that matter. The future is a mystery, but the present is ours to live fully and meaningfully.

As I write this, I am still learning to make sense of my grief, to find meaning in the unfathomable. I do not know what the coming year will bring. Perhaps none of us do. But I do know that amidst life's uncertainties, we can choose to show up, to love, and to find purpose, even in the smallest acts.

Here's to living life as it comes—not with plans and resolutions, but with courage and grace to face whatever lies ahead.

-- Renu Kaul Verma