THIS YEAR I VOW TO…
ALLOW AND HONOR ALL MY FEELINGS

Not to judge myself or my feelings
Not to utter or think any rules or “shoulds”

LISTEN TO MY HEART

To enter that still, sure place within where peace survives
To trust my inner voice

TREAT MYSELF LIKE A PRECIOUS CHILD

To be gentle and compassionate toward myself
To be kind and forgiving toward myself
To reassure myself I am doing the best I can in this moment

GIVE MYSELF WHATEVER TIME I NEED TO GRIEVE,

whenever I need it

ALLOW MYSELF THE RELIEF FROM ISOLATION, COMPARISONS, AND JUDGMENT

Find support from someone who will be with me just as I am

TRUST MY BODY TO KNOW HOW TO GRIEVE, AND

then let it

ALLOW LOVE TO FLOW TO ME FROM MY COMMUNITY

from family who may not have understood me
from unexpected people who surround me
from a friend to sit with me, hold me, and comfort my mind/body/and soul

TO FIND MIRACLES IN THE MOST ORDINARY OF THINGS AND EVENTS EACH DAY

a sunrise, a hummingbird, the wet nose of a dog, a child pumping on a swing
I will see and even feel wonder and beauty in the world without the guilt or despair that I am enjoying it without my loved one

TO TAKE ONE DEEP BREATH AFTER ANOTHER, AND

trust my resilience and ability to be with all my feelings

TO HOLD ON TO THE LOVE, AND

not let death end my relationship with my loved one