I pulled a couple of old notebooks out of my closet to use as journals for this class and found some writing in one of them that was from a silent retreat I was on more than a decade ago. I don't know the exact date but it appears to be from around 2012 as I write about my parents and obviously they were still alive at that time. Anyway, I thought I'd share one of the things I wrote. I have always wanted to, felt called to, pulled to, write my story. I've never taken the time to actually do it, but this is what I wrote on that retreat 14 years ago. The Story of Me I am the youngest of six children, 5 girls and 1 boy. Born to the most amazing parents, a living example of God's love and mercy. The church (Catholic) was our life. It was our education, our friends, our socializing, everything. At a very young age I felt the presence of God. His love, mercy, and compassion. Growing up with four older sisters certainly came with its challenges, but it was a gift as well. There was always someone to play with, talk to, fight with, cry with, and hug. We were best friends and mortal enemies, confidants and co-consipirators. We shared a room for most of our childhood, a bed, and always a bathroom. There was no escape! That's probably why I like living alone so much now. The two oldest, Ann and Barbara, went off to college while I was still pretty young so most of my time at home was without them. Ann got married when I was 8 and Barbara when I was 9. They both had their first born when I was 10, both boys. I loved being an aunt and they took advantage of that (in a good way). Saying "aunts change dirty diapers," etc. Being so young I was very close to my nephews and the rest of my neices and nephews that followed. Except most of my sister Cassie's kids, but that will come later. When I was 11, my world as I knew it changed forever. My favorite uncle, who was also a priest, was murdered. Two men robbed the rectory where he lived, killing him, his housekeeper, and a nun that was visiting. They were found stabbed downstairs and my uncle was found upstairs in his bedroom, shot in the back of his head.

I’m starting chemotherapy today for leukemia/blood cancer. I was diagnosed in 2022. Four years without needing treatment was great, but things progressed over the past year and it’s time. You all have helped me become more authentic with my life and I appreciate you!!

🌿A “Word of the Year” isn’t a resolution with better PR. It’s a north star in your pocket—something you can reach for when life gets loud, messy, or exhausting. It’s not about perfection. It's about direction. 💡 Why one word works Goals can feel like homework. A word shows up in real life: - When you’re about to overcommit - When you’re reacting instead of responding - When you’re tempted to quit - When you’re choosing everyone else over yourself Your word becomes a simple question: “What would my word do here?” ✅ Quick Word-Picking Process (10 minutes) Grab a notebook or piece of paper. Write 3 lists: More of: Less of: Let go of: Circle what has the most emotional charge. That’s usually the doorway. Now ask: What’s the theme underneath?Overwhelm → Focus / SteadinessSelf-judgment → GraceClenching + holding on → ReleaseFeeling flat/numb → Joy / LoveFear + playing small → Ownership / Wildflower 🔥 The 3 Tests (to choose the right one) Pick your top 3 words and test them: 1) Bad-Day TestOn a hard day, does this word help… or shame you? 2) Whisper TestSay: “This year, I choose ___.”If your body softens or your eyes get spicy (teary), pay attention. 3) Behavior TestCan you name 3 actions this word would change? If not, it’s too vague. 🌸 Words already in our community Wildflower • Focus • Perseverance • Joy • Deep Breath • Embrace • Release • Grace • Ownership • Devoted • Steadiness • Peace • Tolerance • Love 👉If you’re choosing from these, try finishing one sentence: “This year, my word will help me practice ______.” 🧷 Make it REAL (not just pretty) Choose 1–2 anchors: - Put your word on your phone wallpaper - Write a daily question: “What would (WORD) do here?” - Pick one micro-ritual (ex, one deep breath before emails, meals, hard conversations) - Do a monthly reset: “Where did I live my word? Where did I drift?” A word becomes powerful when it changes tiny moments. That’s where your year is actually made. 👇 Comment below