Last year I took on the challenge of #reverb10, a daily challenge of writing to reflective prompts, throughout the month of December — possibly the busiest month of the year. Bloggers, artists, craftsmen and women were greeted with this same prompt in our email inboxes last year.
Last year I chose the wordRememberfor 2011. It was a year of remembering who I was in a previous life and regaining pride in that life. I remembered that I mattered and I walked with confidence. Not only did I remember, but I was remembered.
I spent a great deal of 2011 in bed as my new baby grew inside me. In that time I was able to mourn for the baby I lost and rejoice in the baby that was to come. I was able to remember the joys of motherhood once again and I wept with that supreme elation when I saw my child for the first time. I remembered my love for teaching again, something I thought I lost. I also remembered that I really do love people, and I can trust some.
This last year I have slowly forgotten the old material I have recycled myself from 2010 to make the new me for 2011. I only know me as what I have become and as I re-read what I posted last year, I realized I had already planted the seed for my new word for 2012:
Published by ShadowTeamsNYC and represented by Lisa Hagen Books
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This is simply lovely. I don't know the story behind your grief, but I love the way you have chosen to hold it in your heart.
May 2012 glow softly in the light of your reverence.
i love the word "reverence." especially the way you use it, the way you live it.
I'm so sorry I haven't been here in a while. My loss as your words resonate. I'm so sorry that I didn't know you had experienced such a loss and I am happy that you have experienced the joy that you deserve. Your word for 2012 is beautiful.
What a wonderful word! I love this post and how serene it is. A terrific reminder that I need to take to heart as well. Love this: "I want to hold each moment in my mind and heart as if they are individual snow globes, catching them in their own individual tableaus for eternity." Simply beautiful! I look forward to reading more!
I was so happy for you and your family when the Jelly Bean arrived. The absolute Joy spilled out of The Twitter…it was a wonderful thing to behold.
It's been an interesting year. Ready for another?
When I grow up, I'm going to be awesome. LIKE YOU.
Thank you for your encouragement everyone. I'm happy to here!
I want to get this tattooed somewhere: "Life is to be revered, to be cherished in the palms of my hands." Thank you for this beautiful, brave post and these perfect words. I have some remembering to do of my own, and you've reminded me of that.
This year was such a turning for you; so much more than many of us knew. You help the rest of us rise from our timidity to speak with a true voice. Perhaps that is what Reverb really does; helps us write with spontaneity, so we find that true voice.
"I want to hold each moment in my mind and heart as if they are individual snow globes"
Yes, this.
Let's laugh together.
I'm not sure why I didn't know that you had lost a child, and my heart hurts for you. Perhaps I tuned in later and didn't catch that.
I know that there is absolutely never a replacement, but what joy the Jellybean and the Boy seem to bring to you. From afar, it's lovely to see. You've shared such beautiful experiences with all of us out here on the webs. Your posts are something that I genuinely look forward to, and I appreciate that you allow us a peek into your world. I'm so glad to know you.
yes. here you are, on that other side, when it seemed impossible not that long ago. so much is sacred and we easily forget that. you, however, remembered. i am glad you did.