Mom flips another pancake, her hair pulled into a messy bun, humming a country tune. Dad scrolls through his phone, sipping coffee, while the narrator—a curious child—leans over a plate, watching everyone with wide eyes. The room is warm, bright, and a little chaotic, like every holiday morning.
"Mom, what's a New Year's resolution?"
"It's when you decide to make a change for the better, sweetheart. Like eating healthier, exercising, or reading the Bible together as a family,"
Dad sets his mug down, glancing at his family. Mom sits beside him, her expression earnest but playful. The narrator listens, torn between excitement and confusion.
"I really want to lose some weight, starting with my honky tonk badonkey donk," she jokes, patting her hips and making everyone laugh.
"Well, I think I need to make more money this year. Maybe if I work hard, we can move into a bigger house—one with a yard for you to play in,"
Teacher—a lively woman in a bright sweater—engages the students, her voice encouraging. The narrator sits in the second row, still pondering the meaning of resolutions after the family discussion.
"My resolution is to start exercising more this year," she announces, stretching her arms above her head. The children giggle, imagining their teacher jogging around the school.
"Is it hard to keep a resolution?"
"It can be, but it's all about trying your best and not giving up,"
Mom gathers everyone close, her voice gentle but determined. Dad wraps an arm around her, nodding in agreement. The narrator curls up, snuggled between them.
"The number one resolution for us this year is to read the Bible together every day and grow closer to God," she says softly.
"We'll support each other, even when it feels tough,"
The narrator stares at the ceiling, thinking about everyone's resolutions. The idea of change seems overwhelming, like trying to lift something heavy or run a race that never ends.
"I don't really know what a resolution is," the narrator thinks, "but it sounds like a lot of work. Maybe if we do it together, it won't be so hard."
Mom leads the way, her eyes shining with optimism. Dad and the narrator follow, their voices blending in a gentle chorus.
"Let's start this year with faith and love,"
"I guess resolutions are about trying, even when you don't understand everything. And maybe, just maybe, it's about doing things together,"
















