Grateful…
It’s a word that can feel elusive in a year marked by trials—mentally, emotionally, financially, physically, and practically. Yet, as 2024 draws to a close, gratitude fills my heart.
I am deeply, endlessly grateful for my husband, Roden. A man who has carried our family with unwavering love and care. This year, we grew—not just as individuals but as a couple and as a family. We made hard choices that proved right, faced vulnerability with courage, and held each other through the storms. For the first time, we peeled back the layers of our struggles, communicating openly about fears, doubts, and dreams. It was this raw honesty that led us to elope—an act we once swore we’d never embrace. I now wear the title of his wife with pride and humility, knowing our bond is forged in truth. I am his, and he is mine.
I am thankful for my children. Adrian is finding his voice, daring to make decisions, and embracing therapy with courage as he navigates life. Wilder has discovered his passions, proved his resilience, and shown endless sweetness along the way. Revan grows like a weed but loves like an oak—strong, steady, and giving. Each of them, so uniquely themselves, reminds me daily of the beauty of growth and the power of love.
I am grateful for my parents—my own and my husband’s. My mother-in-law, who embodies patience and wisdom, and the spirit of Roden’s father, whose presence lingers as a guiding light. Their love, steady and unwavering, has been an anchor.
I am even grateful for my ex-husband. Together, we found a way to communicate with kindness and understanding, working as a team for Adrian’s well-being. This year, we stood side by side—Roden included—shopping for our boys as a blended family. No tension, no awkwardness, just peace. It’s a testament to grace and growth.
I am thankful for family in all its forms: my nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, in-laws, and my sister, whose presence remains vibrant despite her absence. In dreams, she still scolds me when I feel lost, reminding me to fight. These positive and challenging connections have shaped us, teaching Roden and me to set boundaries and define the family we’re building, independent of the weight of the past.
I am thankful for not only my friends but Roden’s, the steadfast one who had patience with us while we figured out our paths this year, and the new ones who entered, all whose love we will not take for granted. I am so thankful we met and share love for one another. I am thankful for the honesty, words of encouragement, and the faith you’ve had in me. I hope to build and experience more life with you!
I am grateful for my work. Though the film industry has been turbulent, I’ve been able to provide for my family. I owe you my deepest thanks to the employers who took a chance on me and the references who spoke on my behalf. Grateful for the commercial photography contracts and people who believed in my work. And to Roden, who held down the home front, nurturing our children, cooking meals, and keeping our sanctuary intact—you made it possible for me to chase my purpose.
I am grateful for the hardships—yes, even those. Without fire, there is no forging. This year, my love for my family has never burned brighter. Being a mother has never felt so fulfilling. The failures, frustrations, and humbling moments were the very soil from which growth sprouted.
I am thankful to God. This year, I felt His call—gentle but insistent, pulling me back to Him. In returning, I found grace, and in grace, I found the strength to move forward.
There has been no single experience this year that hasn’t shaped me. I am humbled by my imperfections but filled with hope for what they will create in the future.
With love,
Hadessah
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