Who will you be in September 2022?

 Sometimes I read posts from the past to see where I was a year or more ago. Last September COVID worries reigned as I thought ahead to upcoming holidays and family plans. We managed to live out the year without any COVID-19 infections, illnesses, or loss. That was good. We also had best possible holidays with ZOOM gatherings, virtual gift exchanges, and outdoor events. Together the greater family struggled with the non-COVID illness of a loved one and the results of months of different-than-usual family connections and events. The collective care for our loved one, the anticipation for postponed celebrations, and the collaboration related to keeping traditions and outdoor adventures alive in new and safe ways inspired collaboration and resulted in some good times in 2020-2021.

Now as we enter the final months of the 2021 year, I am thinking ahead about what will take precedence in the months ahead. 

Family celebrations, holidays, sports events, and support

Family will be the priority focus in 2021-2022. I hope we'll find the year to be a year of strong, positive, supportive family ties including joyful get togethers and support for one another. What will that look like?

  • Weekly newsletter: I'll continue the practice of sharing a weekly newsletter with my intimate family members to help us all stay abreast of what's going on and how we can support each other.
  • Regular dinners: We'll continue to have a regular pattern of dinners together both at our home, outdoors, and at the homes of other family members. These dinners create camaraderie and strength for our family. 
  • Holiday celebrations: It's difficult to predict what this year's holidays will be like since there have been many changes in our intimate and extended family, but I do know that we'll make time to celebrate with those available and together we'll think of some creative ways to make the holidays joyful and spirited. 
  • Special events and needs: I will make time to recognize family members' special events and needs in significant ways--I believe that special events and needs are touchstone events that give life meaning when we recognize those events with love and care. 
  • Warm, welcoming home: I'll continue my pursuit to make our home warm and welcoming for any family member that comes to spend time with us. 
Healthy living

In many ways our family has responded to the threat of COVID-19 by increasing our commitment to healthy living by way of healthy adventures, gardening, nutritious meals, and good routines. We'll continue this commitment because to live in healthy ways allows one to live a more fulfilling, positive life. I've learned a lot about healthy living in the past year and hope to continue learning more and living more in healthy ways. 

Friendships

COVID-19 was a tough year for friendships given the isolation the virus created as well as each family's all-consuming efforts to keep their loved ones safe and happy during this time. We have begun renewing our friendships since vaccinated, and hope to continue this renewal as well as making new friends in the year to come. 

By September 2022, I hope that our family will be able to celebrate a number of significant accomplishments by family members related to college graduation, new professional positions, greater health, and collective celebration, exploration, and adventure. For myself, I hope that I will be better ready to contribute to the greater community in a significant way. Time will tell what the year ahead brings, but this is a good guide to begin with.