It is hard to believe that the first month of the year has already come to a close. As January ends, I find myself reflecting on what this same time last year felt like for many of us. There was so much uncertainty, loss, and fear in the air. January 2026 has carried its own share of heavy moments, and in just thirty days we have witnessed events that have stirred deep emotions across our communities and our country.
We have experienced ice storms and loss close to home, including the passing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. We have also watched difficult national stories unfold — including the detainment of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos — that left many of us scratching our heads in bewilderment, searching for understanding, compassion, and humanity in equal measure. To the people of Minnesota and to communities everywhere facing grief or unrest — we see you, we hold you in our thoughts, and we stand with you. When people come together with a united voice and purposeful action, change becomes possible. There is strength in unity, and there is power in community.
While news headlines and social feeds have often felt overwhelming, there have also been moments of quiet peace and profound humanity. One image that has stayed with me this month is that of a group of Buddhist monks walking a 2,300-mile journey from Ft. Worth Texas to Washington, D.C. in a peaceful mission of reflection and hope. They are not walking to take sides; they are walking to send a message of peace, resilience, and unity. Through cold, snow, and rain, they continue forward — some without shoes — offering flowers, gentle blessings, and silent prayers to strangers along their path. No loudspeakers. No confrontation. Just presence, compassion, and love.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/R4zs7d_llHs
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xQmwM-iIkzc
These are the moments we can choose to carry with us into the months ahead. Where there is peace, there is hope. Where there is kindness, there is strength.
And here at Penny Lane, hope is not just an idea — it is something you create every single day. Please know that the work you do is a tremendous source of hope for both your clients and the broader community. Each and every day, your contributions help others feel seen, heard, and safe. Penny Lane is a space where all are welcomed and valued. Client or staff, you are important to all of us.
Our mission of Transforming Lives is evident in everything you do — from Facilities to Fiscal, from IS to Outpatient, and every role in between. Even when there is uncertainty in the world around us, there is stability within Penny Lane because of you. You help ensure that we continue to provide hope for a brighter tomorrow.
As we start February, let us make space to mourn what has been lost while also recognizing the goodness that continues to surface around us every day. May we move forward grounded in empathy, connected to one another, and reminded that even in difficult times, humanity still shows up in powerful and beautiful ways.
With gratitude and appreciation for all that you do and the care you bring to one another.
Much Love,
