Ash Thoreau

This will be my last post of 2024, a chance to reflect and wrap things up.

This year, I faced the heaviest weight of my life, officially classified as obese. Since March, I’ve lost 44 pounds. From the start of my Zepbound journey in October, I’ve shed 33.2 pounds. I’m now less than 10 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight—a milestone that feels within reach.

My daughter, now almost three, has had quite the adventurous year. Before her upcoming birthday, she will have visited Disneyland six times, with three of those trips happening this year. It was our goal to take her as many times as possible before she turns three, as children under that age don’t require a ticket. I’m proud to say we achieved that goal.

In May, I said goodbye to my best friend, my soul-dog Argos. He had been by my side since 2010, nearly my entire adult life. At around 15 years old, after two years of monitoring seizures and administering subcutaneous fluids multiple times a week with the help of friends, Argos fell asleep in my arms for the last time. Losing him still hurts deeply. When I visit my mom’s property, I feel his presence, as if he’s still there, waiting to greet me.

I am profoundly grateful that my daughter had two years with him. We discovered his kidney failure shortly after her birth, and I feared we had only months left together. But with early intervention, he lived two more happy years. Though Argos initially disapproved of Daisy’s arrival and was quite annoyed with me, he eventually grew to tolerate her. Daisy adored him and learned to treat him with extra care because of his health.

June brought our first trip to Massachusetts. I visited the gravesite of my namesake, Henry David Thoreau, and saw Walden Pond, where I encountered a true Blue Jay for the first time. Little did I know, this was a prelude to the influx of Blue Jays that would frequent my bird feeder back home later in the year. The trip also included swans in the wild and a visit to Pizza Chef in Southbridge, home to the best pizza and subs on Earth.

Despite the heartache of loss, this year has been a success in so many ways. I’ve made progress, experienced adventures, and cherished unforgettable moments. Here’s to continuing the journey in 2025.