After a year of ups and downs, HOPE still came to me as my choice for my One Little Word for 2025.
In February, we celebrated our daughter’s marriage to a wonderful man. All our kids and grandkids were together for Kristin and Jason’s wedding in Katy, Texas. We had lots of love and laughter staying together in a B&B for a week, playing games, and just hanging out.
Two months later, my beloved Rich learned he had chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, or CMML. This was a gut punch for us. We went to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to explore the possibility of a stem cell transplant which is the only possible cure…and not a sure one. The summer was spent in appointment after appointment testing to see if Rich was a candidate for the transplant. He was not. He had a 40% chance of survival in the first year.
He is now being successfully treated with immunotherapy called Dacogen. The first few months were scary with several ambulance rides to hospital stays. However, the infusions are finally stabilizing him, and his last appointment with his oncologist was very encouraging. We are filled with HOPE.
Thus, HOPE is my word for 2025.
In addition to our personal struggle, I am concerned about our country’s rising anger, division, and hatred. I see a possibility that those attitudes will only increase over the next years. It would be easy for me to spiral down into despair because I feel so powerless. But as Heather Cox Richardson has said, instead of despairing ACT. I am deciding on a social justice cause to work for, and that gives me HOPE.
In December, my dear sister-in-law-by-choice, Katya faced surgery for a mass on her kidney and another within the base of her spine. Those surgeries sounded very scary and very involved. Before she underwent both surgeries she texted me, “I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world with the quality of care and the compassion I feel from each team member [in the hospital].” What courage! What a positive attitude! Lo and behold, they were able to remove both the mass in her kidney and the mass around her spinal cord intact. We’re awaiting the biopsy results from the spinal cord. Her biopsy from the kidney mass came back benign.
That gives me HOPE.
There is a lot to be scared about these days. As I write this, the breaking news of the New Orleans massacre and the explosion in Las Vegas is airing. Despair begs to take over, but I will not allow it. As Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” I choose to look for the helpers.
They give me HOPE.
My HOPE for you is good health, much love, and much laughter in 2025.
Love and LIght,
Elizabeth
Hope is the perfect word for this year. May the seeds hope continue to grow and blossom for you and yours.
Thank you, Patricia. Wishing you good health and many blessings in 2025.
Betty, I am inspired by your words and commitment to HOPE! The picture of your granddaughters at Kristin and Jason’s wedding is precious. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers as we travel through this new year. Love, Barb
Thank you, Barb. You have been an inspiration to me as you navigated all Tim’s medical issues. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated, and we can feel them coming through.
Prayers that the treatments continue to work. I admire your determination to stay positive. Given the mess around us, it won’t be easy. My word for 2025 is persevere.
Thank you Susanne. Persevere is a perfect word for trying to endure the mess around us. Wishing you a happy, healthy 2025.