And here we are in the last week of 2022. Time could not be going any faster. Remember as a kid you were always wishing the time would fly to get you to something you wanted to do, see or be? I can hear my Dad say don’t wish your time away, as you get older it will go faster than you can believe.

I am still grieving the loss of my husband and am learning how to navigate life as it is now. The first 5 months of this year gave me even more to manage. I’m doing well now, but it was a rough start to the year with medical challenges that were certainly unexpected. What was even more unexpected was how I surprised myself with strength I did not know I had. It is amazing what you can handle when there is no choice. Of course, if you know me, you know that I’m giving credit to Tom “being there” for me. I am very lucky to have my family and friends who have helped me get through it.

Now it is time to pick my word for 2023. Last year I chose HOPE. I still think this is a good word for another year and to that I will add FAITH and BELIEVE. Father AJ said in a recent homily that “Hope is Faith which is directed towards the future”. This made me think that for me Faith is looking forward in Hope. And one needs to BELIEVE this.

This year we should all concentrate on nurturing our mind, body and soul. I am meditating and really practicing being present. I have tried Reiki and meditation with singing bowls. I have taken creative writing classes on how to write your life’s story. I took a course called Joyology 101. This class was about finding a purposeful and joyful way of living. I reread The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. I’ve been reading Jay Shetty’s Think Like A Monk. All of this has been nurturing my mind and soul. It has helped me deal with my grief and helping to restructure my life.

Since 2020 life has taught me that time waits for no one. Only you can turn possibilities into reality for yourself. You have to BELIEVE that you can.

I usually wrap up the year telling you that I hope that there will be surprises in your life in the upcoming year. Be ready to receive them!

For myself, I’m sticking with Tinkerbell’s “All you need is faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust” as I continue to find a soft place to land.

Happy New Year.