I am looking forward to the New Year for many reasons: 2024 was in no way an ordinary year for me. Work-wise, I took on the challenge of bringing Sesameed’s American boarding school fair series to Dubai, in addition to repeating our annual fairs in Singapore and Thailand. This expansion included many challenges, and finding additional staff and new marketing channels were a struggle. In hindsight, perhaps I should have just gone on with a good old retirement instead of chasing after “something more meaningful!”
We kept focused and all three fairs chugged along to a successful conclusion. Most important to this success were the many boarding school parent/alum volunteers came out to help. I am so grateful for the incredible generosity of our volunteers, without whom the fairs would not have been so successful. Thank you!
But 2024 held other challenges for me, beyond work. Last August, I received the results of a DNA test regarding our daughter Abby. She was three and a half and still couldn’t speak. Everyone thought she was simply a “late bloomer;” but still, a DNA test wouldn’t hurt. The news was bad: Abby was diagnosed with a rare disorder called Rett Syndrome. Children with Rett usually suffer from impairments in speech and coordination, and complications can include regular seizures. Not only must Rett children work harder to learn, but their conditions can quickly deteriorate and cause them to “unlearn” what they have already learned. Worse, there is no cure… yet.
I have never been hit this hard before in my life. I had gone through periods when my career wasn’t going right or my investments were turning sour, but these misfortunes would pass, and each time, I would stand back up and rebuild. This time is different. None of what I possess would make any difference. I feel an inescapable loss; I should be the one to suffer, not this young life.
If you know me, you know that my faith is important to me. I find solace in knowing that God is good, and when times are tough we get to experience the abundance of His grace.
I have always loved planning for the future, and I have made a living out of coaching parents and students in education planning and beyond. I had planned for my daughter to attend boarding school someday, but doesn’t fate have its ways of humbling all of us? Those plans don’t matter now. As I start 2025, I look at life differently now. Now, I am also more grateful for every morning, and I now focus on living each day to its fullest, enjoying every moment of it. After all, I really don’t know what tomorrow can bring.
Going through a misfortune doesn’t mean we will have to give up our dreams. Life can knock us down at times, but it is up to us to choose whether we will stand back up.
A joyous and fulfilling New Year to all.
Daniel
