How did another year rush by, with days that seemed so long
Some hectic, some fulfilling, some felt right, while others wrong
At times our world was anxious, angry, tired, about to cry
Some trying to make it better, some just struggling to get by
Our lives awash with busyness, juggling family and friends
Some grown apart, some steadfast, some attempting to make amends
We watched our loved ones battling health scares, illnesses, and strife
Some plodding on, some better, some departed from this life
It helped to lose ourselves in books, find time when we could grab it:
Tim faults Attention Merchants, James broke down Atomic Habits
Heather adds The Sum of Us, Robin's Braiding Sweetgrass sings
And Untamed Glennon helped us see that we can do hard things
The spark of new ideas often sprung from others' words
Some helpful and inspiring, some misdirected or misheard
We poured our hearts into our work, an endless give and take
Some plowing forth, some pivoting, some who just needed a break
We felt new aches and pains when things seemed out of our control
Some eased through hugs and laughter, or a quiet evening stroll
We counted lucky stars to have our eyes, ears, legs or noses
Still—-some forgot to see, listen, or stop to smell the roses
Human beings aren't perfect, we all do the best we can
Some days are grandly empty, others filled with best laid plans
(But if you'll soon retire, or received money from your aunt
Find some time next month to speak with Taea, David or Grant!)
So while you write to-do lists, or plan goals for the new year
Please know you give us purpose—-you're the reason that we're here
We're all in this together: wholes are greater than some parts
We hope you each find love and peace, from the bottom of our hearts
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!
The Takagi Team