New Year, New Beginnings | Jan’s Blog

As a new year begins, I find myself reflecting. Not on the year behind me, but on where I am going. I’ve never resisted new beginnings. I believe in possibilities, in change, and in the idea that life can be different if we are willing to be flexible, to listen, and to approach it with an open heart. That belief hasn’t faded – it has deepened.

But what does it really mean to live with an open heart?

For years, I thought it meant saying yes, being available, stretching myself thinner to meet everyone else’s needs. Almost sixty-five years later, I’ve learned that an open heart does not mean endless boundaries. It doesn’t mean letting others choose for you or constantly accommodating everyone around you. When you try to do it all, you often end up supporting no one – not even yourself.

Time is one of the hardest things to manage, especially when both work and life matter deeply. It slips away no matter how carefully you try to hold it. There are seasons when attention is divided, choices feel imperfect, and balance seems aspirational. Like many trying to build something meaningful while caring for others, I didn’t always get it right, but every decision was made with care and commitment.

There’s that saying: you can have everything – just not all at the same time. For women of my generation, that lesson came late. We stepped into the workforce in ways our mothers hadn’t, while still carrying expectations at home. We were taught to strive, to stretch, to prove ourselves, and many of us believed balance meant doing everything, all at once. Experience eventually teaches otherwise.

So, this year, my resolution is quieter: to move forward with honesty, humility, and compassion for myself and others. To make room for joy and peace, not as something earned later, but as something allowed now. That’s what we all ultimately seek, no matter our age, our role, or the season of life.

And that’s why I still believe in new beginnings. Not to erase what came before, but to carry its lessons forward. Each chapter gives the chance to begin again with perspective, grace, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters – not only in our own lives, but in how we show up for those around us.

Those same ideas, perspective, grace, and beginning again, are guiding us at Merridale as well. The new year brings fresh adventures here on the farm, and they matter deeply to everyone who calls Merridale home. Our focus is on creating a place where people feel welcomed, cared for, and connected, where time slows just enough to be shared, and where every visit is meaningful.

This year, our intention is simple: to be present, to create memorable experiences, and to make every visit personal and unhurried. We’re focusing on moments that invite connection between friends, families, and newcomers who leave feeling part of the Merridale family. You’ll see this in the experiences we’re planning – Harvest for Hounds, the Whisky & Cider Festival, special classes, and Christmas with more carolling and Santa visits. “Yes, we’re taking what we learned this year and making our events bigger, better, and even more fun – thank you for all your feedback.

Thank you for your support, for being part of our story, and for allowing Merridale to be part of your celebrations and traditions. It’s a gift that everyone here recognizes as a true privilege.

In gratitude,