"So Grateful for You"

2024: A Year In Review

We are already 15 days into the new year, into 2025. I have been intending to write a recap of 2024 for weeks and have carried my notes with me, “just in case I find the time to write.” The rectangular sticky note is a muted yellow with differently colored pastel circles spread across the paper. This note has lost its sticking power. Crumpled by travel, the top right corner is almost completely dog-eared.

Now, as I revisit my notes, I am delighted to recognize what is pre-printed on this particular piece of stationary. “So Grateful For You.” Certainly, these sticky notes are meant to be given to others, with handwritten sentiments for small, yet meaningful tasks or gestures. The phrase takes on a new meaning now as I recount the gratefulness for my year, the year in which I turned 45 years old.

It is perfectly reasonable, I have learned, to permit grateful thoughts for the person I am. This is not ego. This person has been shaped by years of learning, trauma, travel, therapy, reading, writing, listening, children, and many more tiny delights. Therefore, I am grateful for the 2024 me.

Additionally, I am grateful for the moments and the experiences I accepted during these 365 days. I am grateful for the community that surrounded me, the people who held space for my joys and anxieties, who celebrated my successes. I am grateful for the people who permitted me to hold space for them, through diagnoses of cancer, mental health challenges and physical surgeries, the grief for loved ones deceased, and relationship struggles and divorce. In reality, as I frame out this 2024 year-in-review, it is an acknowledgement of the various circles of people - my communities - and how we have served each other.

Since the largest portion of my days are spent in the workplace, it makes the most sense to begin here. This past year, I settled into a new role. I discovered connections with people who share my desire to be a human-centered public servant. I have also formed bonds with co-workers over bestselling books, stories about our children, potluck luncheons, walks outside, and shared birthdays. This community helps me feel engaged with my work.

My twice weekly commutes from Lancaster to Harrisburg involve the Amtrak train. I rode more than 2,500 miles on the rails and over those miles, I forged a solid Wordle train group. With 10 people in our text group, most of whom ride the train on a weekly basis, we share train schedule delays or disruptions, sadness when a beloved cat goes missing, and lighthearted jokes. Oh! We also engage in the daily game of Wordle, posting our scores and competing for a monthly prize. We have a community of care for each other.

Outside of the typical workday, there is a list of activities that fill my bucket. Guiding forest baths rises to the top, and I find myself craving time in the woods when dealing with challenges. Perhaps the most profound experience of 2024 was becoming Certified as a Forest Therapy Guide, an experiential journey that started in April and concluded in June. Different from hiking, forest bathing or forest therapy is a mindful practice of being with nature for personal well-being, inviting a deep connection to Mother Earth and, therefore, all of life.

As I describe guided forest therapy when promoting a community walk, “It is a waking up to our wholeness, to our belonging to the Earth, and to our place in a vast world.” Being with nature, rather than simply being in nature, is a time for slowing down, feeling the bark of tree against your hand or cheek, tuning in to sounds both near and far, opening your senses to the wonder that surrounds you.

I guided such a variety of groups and individuals. From dear friends who trusted me during my practicum, to cancer survivors, family members, a church group whose pastor had preached on Earth care, a collection of public school teachers and administrators, and several community walks open to all and publicized in the local newspaper and on social media. One thing I can tell you with certainty: there will be more trees, more nature, more healing in 2025!

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