Hello Hive Friends! 👋✨ Happy New Year to all of you! As we welcome 2026, I’d love to share how my family and I spent our New Year celebration. It was simple, heartfelt, and filled with both joy and sadness.
This year, I traveled almost 8 hours by car from my house in Bulacan to my hometown in San Fabian, Pangasinan. The long ride was tiring, but being back home with my family made it worthwhile.
It was also our first New Year without my father, who passed away in the last week of July 2025. His absence was deeply felt, and we didn’t take family photos because of the sadness. The only pictures I captured were of my mother holding Papa’s photo, together with the food we prepared for the celebration.
Our table was filled with the usual New Year staples: spaghetti, pancit, cake, pork barbecue, grilled hotdogs on sticks, fruits, peanut butter sandwich, and bottles of wine. I even prepared a simple prosperity bowl. Nothing extravagant, just a simple spread that carried the warmth of tradition and togetherness.
Though quieter than past years, the celebration reminded us of resilience and love. We honored Papa’s memory in our own way, keeping him close in spirit as we welcomed another year.
Thank you, Hive Friends, for reading my story. Life teaches us to cherish the moments we have, and even in grief, we find strength in family and tradition. Wishing you all a blessed and meaningful 2026! 💖