What Has Brought You Joy in 2023

With the end of October fast approaching, I’m starting to feel as if 2023 is going to be over before I know it.

That has put me in a reflective mood, thinking about what joys, big and small, I’ve been lucky enough to experience this year. Among them was the recent 90-degree day in San Francisco, during which I sat on a shady bench in Golden Gate Park and soaked in the heat, feeling as if I were thawing after a long chilly summer in the city.

Today I’m sharing some readers’ lovely messages about their 2023 delights, a positive note to end our week on.

Please keep sending me your 2023 wins at [email protected], and please include your full name and the city where you live.

Here’s some of what readers have shared, lightly edited:

“After the darkest years of my life during the pandemic — deep depression, a toxic relationship and the loneliness of a new city — I got to marry my best friend this year. We would never have met without Covid, which uprooted us from our lives in different states and led us to cross paths in San Diego. There’s a lesson in there somewhere about clouds and silver linings, but I’m mostly overwhelmed with gratitude to gather our favorite people together in celebration. I’ll never take community for granted again!” — Liz Schneider, San Diego

“I am the youngest of seven children. Unfortunately, what that can mean is, all your loved ones die before you. This year two remaining sisters, 95 and 84, died within a couple of months in the spring. It is quite a blow. But, also this year, I met the new great-granddaughter Aurora, who was born in late January. She is a beautiful, mellow, lovable baby. Life takes away and also gives us delights. My sisters would have loved her.” — Annie Jelnick, Corona del Mar