November was a very difficult month. We unexpectedly and suddenly lost the love of our lives — our pup, Ellie. It was a traumatic experience that involved a normal morning and ended just hours later with us saying goodbye to her. We were heartbroken. We still are.
For the first few days after we lost her, it was difficult just to get through the day. There were a lot of tears and many sleepless nights. I woke up sobbing often. It felt like my heart had broken into a million pieces and something was missing — because it was. It was the first time in my life I felt the physical pains of heartbreak.
Ellie was not only the dog who turned me into a doggie mama, but she opened up an entirely new world to me. She taught me to love in an entirely new way, and through the experience of loving her, my love extended to essentially every dog I meet. Without her, I never would have started fostering and growing my love in new ways.
While it didn’t seem possible when we lost her, each day has gotten a bit easier to get through. And even amid this strong and heavy sorrow, we knew another dog was in our future. Our family feels incomplete without one.
We began meeting pups but each time we would decide it was too soon or it wasn’t the right one. Until just a few days shy of welcoming 2024, we met the petite little hipppo who would steal our hearts. Pippa joined our family and made it whole again. We tell her all about the sister who came before her. We think Pippa would have liked Ellie but probably not the other way around — and that’s ok.
We still think of Ellie often and talk about her daily. Even in her absence, she’s still a strong presence in our lives — and I hope that never changes. It is my intention that it won’t.
I’m grateful for the nearly six years I got to spend loving Ellie and that I will continue loving her even though she’s no longer with us physically. And I’m grateful to my husband, Dustin, for bringing her into my life and forever changing it for the better. And, finally, I’m grateful for the chance to love again with welcoming Pippa to our family.
November + December highlights & happenings
- grieved for Ellie
- work travel to Texas
- dinner with a former coworker + good friend
- month two and three in Portland
- Thanksgiving in northern Washington with family
- returned to San Francisco
- continued to enjoy autumn
- battled a terrible cold for weeks
- made big + difficult decision to give notice at Peloton
- Willamette Valley wine tasting
- continued exploring Portland + surrounding areas by foot and car
- shared more about life on new substack — even ordinary
- calls + texts with friends and family
- decorated for the holidays
- attended fun creative group event
- annual use of frozen bananas for banana bread
- built aquarium Lego set
- prepared to begin another big Lego build
- recognized at work for outstanding contributions
- lots of holiday parties + events
- Ventura County with family for Christmas
- visited the Getty Villa Museum
- celebrated the Winter Solstice + return of light
- continued to build relationships + friendships in SF
- memorized by the Murakami: Monsterized exhibit
- thoroughly enjoyed exploring the works of Yayoi Kusama at SFMOMA
- registered for three classes at City College of SF
- met many doggy friends at SFACC and through rescue events
- annual holiday drinks at Causwells
- explored Golden Gate Park holiday lights
- completed annual financial reviews + net worth updates
- welcomed Pippa to our family
- completed full year of daily reflections + five-year journal
- continued daily reflection/five-year journal
- finished new seasons of The Great British Bake Off and Loki
- started + finished Ramy + Hello Tomorrow
- cooked many yummy recipes
- endured the start of demolition project next to our house
- completed estate planning/will review + updates
- celebrated NYE in style at a memorable dinner party
- ran/walked 53 miles
- rode 11 miles
- 54 workouts/16+ hours (runs, strength, walks, hiking, stretching)
- Peloton milestones: 14,020k total annual minutes
- one Trajectory of Life post
- read 2 books
January intentions + looking forward
- begin with 10 Keys to Happier Living group
- last day at Peloton + begin career break
- continue missing + grieving for Ellie
- begin classes at San Francisco City College
- training for Pippa
- explore contributing to EX online community
- complete 2023 review + 2024 planning
- get back to even ordinary substack posts
- read four books
- get back to regular riding schedule
- finish big Lego project
- annual mammogram
- many events at Groundfloor
- wine member pickup + tasting
- kick off 2024 Broadway season with The Wiz
- fashion exhibit at de Young
- make progress on Spanish lessons
- finish one section of investing class
- get back to daily/weekly/monthly habit tracking
- start year two of daily reflection/five-year journal
Open tabs
- The holidays may be over, but this is an interesting read
- Enjoyed these thoughts on aging by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Thought-provoking and inspirational science-based books from 2023
- Ways to stretch your cash
- Start 2024 with a life-crafting activity
- If you’re seeking more simplicity
- Using strategic thinking to create the life you want
- Refocusing from ‘making it’ to ‘making a life’
- Thoughts on creating new traditions
- How to be happier in the four realms of life
- Found this read interesting as someone who is impacted
- Newfound area of respect for Taylor Swift
- Taking this into 2024
- Supporting your mental health in 2024
- Box breathing — how-to and benefits
- Questioning ‘normal’
- A list of firsts from 2023
- This made me laugh
- 52 interesting things
trajectory of a life 
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