Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?<\/i><\/p>\n
In 2010<\/a>, it was a person. In 2011<\/a>, it was an idea. In 2012<\/a>, it was a symbol represented by a person. In 2013<\/a>, I let go fear. In 2014<\/a>, I let go of humility (or the desire to appear humble). In 2015<\/a>, I let go of perfection. In 2016<\/a>, I let go of expectations. In 2017<\/a>, I let go of things and people I don’t need. In 2018<\/a>, I let go of constant discovery. In 2019<\/a>, I let go of expectations. In 2020<\/a>, I let go of uncomfortable pants. In 2021<\/a>, I let go of rejection. In 2022<\/a>, I let go about feeling bad about rejection. 2023<\/a>, I let go about being upset when others are upset. In 2024<\/a>, I let go of not planning.<\/p>\n This year, because of all the things last year, I let go of feeling ashamed for asking help. To be okay with saying, “Yes, I need help.” And accept it.<\/p>\n The cancer treatments had begun in earnest in January. And I had spent the previous month of last December thinking so much about what I need. Keeping in mind that people want to help. Even the ones who were obnoxiously self-centered when they found out about my diagnosis (sometimes it was too much to include them). So I created ways to help, defining the specific ways. But the primary most visible one was the mealtrain. Throughout it, I didn’t realize how much it helped me. To just let people feed me. I had always been so self-sufficient in feeding myself once I graduated high school, although I didn’t know how to cook healthily so many years. I eventually found joy in cooking. And to have someone else decide for me. For us, made a difference. A friend noted, sometimes, it’s not just for you, it’s for Chris too.<\/p>\n And I was worried about what chemo and radiation would mean. I heard about the exhaustion. I heard about nausea. I heard about weakness. What if? What if?<\/p>\n But feeling nourished in the many ways helped so much.<\/p>\n So when Chris was seriously injured in the assault, it was yet another blow. And a friend offered a mealtrain. I didn’t do a whole survey this time. I felt guilty. But it helped so much. Especially when I went abroad. When meals are just a little thing to do. Everyone just wanted to find a time to bring food, the thing that they enjoyed every day. It’s not a big deal, some would say, just will make a little more for dinner.<\/p>\n I am so grateful for all of it. For the generosity. And it all started with accepting the gift.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? In 2010, it was a person. In 2011, it was an idea. In 2012, it was a symbol represented by a person. In 2013, I let go … Continue reading