Believe.
When my dear friend Eva suggested that I choose a "Word of the Year", my first thought was "Health". (If you read my previous post you know why.) After giving it more thought, I came up with a new word... "Believe".
2011 was a year of (many) medical crises for my family, the worst of which was in August when my father-in-law almost died. At the time I couldn't write about it because my emotions were much too raw. But now, many months later, I am able to share with you how that time has changed my perspective...
Without sharing the gory details, I can simply say that he was laughing and joking over a family dinner one night, then the very next day he was in critical condition and a nurse was telling us to "prepare ourselves" because things were "very, very bad". It continued to be a roller coaster for the following month - one minute things were looking up, then the next minute things things were critical again.
During the hardest times, when things were bleak and I was at my saddest, I kept finding pennies wherever I went. I believed they were a sign that everything was going to be okay... And it was. My father-in-law's recovery and return to the kind, compassionate, strong man he was at the beginning of August is astonishing. He is a living miracle - all of his doctors and nurses have said so.
So, for 2012, my word is "Believe".
This year I am believing...
In miracles
In hard work and dedication
In hope and faith
In myself
In others
In big dreams
and
In endless possibilities.
Wishing all of you a happy, healthy, creative, fun-filled, miraculous New Year!
xo
Kristin
p.s. If you've chosen a "Word of the Year" I'd love to hear what it is!
Hi Kristin, So sorry to hear about your father-in-law - I can surely relate as my Mom fell in August. What a trying time for your family. Hope he continues to do well. I would love for you to link in with your Word for 2012 to my bloghop http://www.myheartartbygeri.com/2011/12/whats-your-word-for-2012.html Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI want to use your word! What a very inspiring post Kristin. I am sorry you had to go through so much heartache and I am happy your father in-law is healthy again. I am personally struggling with some heath issues and your story has given me strength! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat word to live by, Kristin. I'm glad your FIL is ok now. Happy New Year!! :)
ReplyDeletehello my friend, i am so glad your father in law has recovered. i know full well about that medical roller coaster, one hope, one complication after another. i don't think owur stomachs were made for that kind of worry, not to mention our hearts. ♥
ReplyDeletebelieve is a good word. you have me thinking about mine. accept? appreciate? i'm not sure. i know i want to take things as they come, not put a thought or color on them other than what i know and what i feel (and how i think my way through!)
with love, see you throughout 2012!
kj
Hi Kristin, so nice to see you back. As I sit here reading this I am looking at a small postage size medallion siting on my desk with the same word stamped on it. On the back it says "things happen for a reason." What a powerful and uplifting word to live by for the year. So glad to hear that your father-in-law is doing better and I pray that 2012 is much tamer for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteWonderful word.I'm doing the same this year.My words are,New Delights.Starting my journal real soon.Denise
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Kristin! May 2012 be full of beauty. My word for the year is "Trust". -Karen
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your father-in-law is on recovery road. It has been quite a year for you. There is a word that could be a partner to 'believe' and I reckon it's 'dream'. Imagination will nourish your wor, and your life.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back. So sorry about the "health" problems within in the family. Glad all is on the mend. Welcome back and Happy New Year!! Great word too.
ReplyDeleteI've been on a little break too, so I missed your last post. I'm believing with you...and praying health for you and your family too!
ReplyDeleteI tried to come up with one word, but ended up with three: LEAP (which was just a little too obvious for 2012, so I wanted to go deeper) LEARN (for the times I leap and fall on my face) and LAUGH (to help me not take all of the leaping and learning so seriously)!
...hi,very nice post!I have lost my father last year for a cancer,he was the first of my family to go away...a strong experience for me.So,"Hope"is the word for the new year,hope that everithing will be well for me and my dears.Same to you !
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have more balance in my life in Body, Mind, & Spirit. So I plan to balance out my yoga, jogging, stretching, with my meditation, visualization, with my religious/spiritual practices.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, I tend to do much more of one and much less of the other so I'll try to balance them all out in a healthy way.
So, my 2012 Word of the Year is: BALANCE
pennies from heaven, small reminders how small change creates big miracles. yay for F-I-L! yay for you. believe is a gr8 word mine is BLOOM.
ReplyDelete*
Kristin!! You have been missed! What a great word you chose! My word is FEARLESS as I have been struggling with fear for way too long!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your family is on the mend!
xo
Very strong post! Happy to hear that your FL is well again. My word for 2012 is Forgive. The past two years has been very traumatic for me. Things are going well now ...but I need to learn to let go of my anger and forgive so life can totally Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI like your word, although "health" is so important - ongoing, so to say. Hopefully there will be much less (none) medical conditions in your family this year!
ReplyDeleteI haven't chosen a word for this year. Last year's was "authentic" and that keeps a lifetime...
Have a wonderful 2012, Kristin.
Happy New Year Kristin. Believe is a very beautiful word for 2012 and I wish you well in your challenge.
ReplyDeleteMy word for this year would be, strangely, health - as I have several issues need sorting and 'determination' to carry through my challenges.
x
I just read a post that the person chose the word, EDIT. I liked that one a lot. But, I like the idea of believe too. Perhaps I need to think about this a little more and come up with a word. I think it is a worthy pursuit. Thanks for sharing about your father in law. Everyday's a gift!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you back, Kristin! I'm so glad your father-in-law is back to her cheery, healthy self. My word for the year is Leap. Though it probably should be Breathe, since I have entirely too much on my plate. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear your father in law recovered from his illness. it just shows how you never can tell what is aroundthe corner, both good and bad. if you've read my post called 'time flies' you'll have seen i mentioned our xmas eve tradition of watching polar express and funny enough the word punched into the wee boy's train ticket is'believe' which is quite apt. I think my word for the year is actually two words and is mine abd my husband's motto(although one we need reminding of sometimes) andit is 'carpe diem' - seize the day. I'm so glad you're back -you were missed. x
ReplyDeleteMy word and your word go hand in hand...
ReplyDeleteHOPE!
So glad your father in law is ok!
thinking of you!
Happy 2012!
oh wow, Kristin, thank you for sharing this story with us....I am so glad to hear that he is doing better...
ReplyDeleteI love the penny in the heart too - AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so with you, we just have to believe in good things - HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Kristin,
ReplyDeleteI chose the word Trust. I strongly believe that I need to make the right choices to be happy but I also need to trust in the choices I make.
I love your work and am looking forward to getting to know you through PPF.
My goodness! what a year! And what a beautiful way that your father in law kept living life and laughing at the twists and turns. I am in awe. My word this year is "dance!"
ReplyDelete