The Word: Hope

I've been doing the 'one word' thing since about 2017. A lot of the reason for that is that it means I don't have to worry about a New Year's Resolution that will quickly be broken! Whatever 'vices' I may have I'm perfectly willing to continue! So at the end of the year, when preparing for this post I like to look back at the word I chose from a year ago and reflect on that decision. Why did I choose that particular word? What was going on at that time that made me think of that particular word? 

Last year the word was acceptance. I chose that word because Ann was diagnosed with cancer the spring prior. At that time, she was going through chemo treatments every 6 weeks. Our social calendar revolved around doctor visits. We were very limited in where we could go and who could come to visit. It was scary and it was stressful. That regimen lasted through the entire 2024 calendar year. On top of that, both of us had lost parents. So in preparing for that blog post one year ago, 'acceptance' seemed like a pretty good choice. There wasn't anything I could do to change those circumstances but accept them. We had to learn to live with a new 'normal'. 

One year later, the challenges mentioned above continue to ring true. But a brighter future is on the horizon. So now as we stand on the precipice of a new year, I believe 'hope' is the perfect word for 2025. But please understand that hope is not blind optimism. It's the belief that even in the face of adversity, there is still good to be found. It's the courage to face uncertainty with a positive outlook. It's the fuel that drives us to persevere, to seek solutions, and to build a better future.

Hope is not a passive state of wishful thinking. It's an active, intentional force that fuels our resilience and propels us forward. It's the belief that even amidst the darkest of storms, there is a glimmer of light-a possibility of brighter days.

Indeed, uncertainty continues to loom large. Hope does not mean we ignore the realities of the world around us no matter what they are. Perhaps for you it is climate change, social injustice, or political divisions. For us it is largely personal health struggles. Whatever your reality, acknowledging these challenges is the first step toward finding meaningful solutions.

And let's be clear eyed about this: hope is not about ignoring problems. Since this blog is rooted in education and coming from an educator, it is about learning. It is about actively seeking solutions. It's about identifying areas for positive change and taking concrete steps. Let's also remember that while individual actions are important, collective action is even more powerful. By working together we can achieve far greater things than we could ever accomplish alone. 

In spite of our personal and collective challenges, hope cannot flourish in a state of despair. We must prioritize our own well-being. Hope is not a feeling; it's a choice. A decision to believe in the possibility of good things to come. So then, let 2025 be a year of cultivating hope. Hope within ourselves, within our communities, and the world. 

So about that brighter future? Ann was admitted to the hospital the day before Thanksgiving for a bone marrow transplant. We had planned on her being able to come home sometime between Christmas and New Year's Day. As it turned out she was able to come home on December 21, almost 10 days ahead of schedule! Think about the significance of that day. The winter solstice. The darkest day of the year. Even in darkness, we see light. Each day forward will be a little brighter, both figuratively and literally. The doctor told her that is she had to give her a grade on her progress, it would be an A+! There is nothing better than being home at Christmas. Granted the next 6 months will be challenging, but we have hope.

2025: Hope! We'll face the challenges ahead with courage, determination, and hope. Brighter days are on the horizon.