Every January for the past several years, three friends and I have met to identify a personal Word for the upcoming year.
The Word for the year is not one we go searching through the dictionary for. Rather, it’s one that simply comes to both mind and heart for each of us.
This coming Saturday during a zoom meeting, each of us will reveal our personal word. One that will serve to define and refine our lives in 2022. Maybe that’s why I’ve become so aware of the Words describing what’s been occurring close to home.
On December 30, 2021, the worst residential Fire in Colorado history was in the process of destroying or making uninhabitable 600-1000 homes in the towns of Superior and Louisville. My neighborhood is only a 10 to 15 minute drive away. Late that afternoon we were placed under pre-evacuation alert with instructions to pack one small bag with Essentials. To be prepared to leave within the hour in case…
Winds attaining hurricane strength outside whipped up Fears inside. What would happen to me? Where would I go? How could I start over at my age?
In our case, the order to evacuate never came. The alert was cancelled. My life would continue as before. Except that I will never again read or hear two words the same way I once did. Evacuee. Refugee. Personal, now.
The next day the governor of Colorado and officials of Boulder County provided the media with updates. Along with then-known damage stats, they reported the inpouring offers of help from around the state and the country. From nearby residents opening their homes to the President providing federal assistance. From an anonymous emailer, a summarizer. “Houses are built from sticks and stone, a home is made by Love alone.”
In 1971 John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s lyrics wished a happy new year. “Let’s Hope it’s a good one without any Fears.” I echo that.
Two hundred years before, poet William Wordsworth penned inviting words in a poem
he named A Table Turned. “Come forth, and bring with you a Heart, that watches and receives.”
My heart has been watching, waiting to receive a fitting word for 2022 for myself. This morning, as I typed the Words for this post, I recognized it.
What will define or refine you in 2022?
My word for 2022 is RESPONSIBILITY. It is in such sort supply these days. I believe it began several decades ago when a secular and narcissistic ideology took over. What ever happened to JFK’s words of wisdom: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask rather what you can do for your country.” Also, what happened to Martin Luther King, Jr’s pleading about peaceful protests? Let’s not always insist on our rights, but our responsibilities to self and our neighbor!
Jack, your make a strong case for “responsibility” as a word for the year 2022. Thank you!
Pat–I just knew you had to be close to that horrible, devastating fire in Colorado, and you were. So close you had to pack an Essentials bag. I’m so glad you weren’t harmed and so sad for those who were. I still can’t believe that it happened so fast, so deadly. Can it happen here? Fr. John prayed for the victims in Colorado at his Masses. I did too.
Glad that you have picked your word for 2022. I couldn’t do it. I don’t trust words anymore.