The recent events of the Supreme Court decision on Roe vs. Wade has me thinking. Deep thoughts of reflection, remembrance, and reconciliation. As I end my column experience with the Enumclaw community, I thought: What better way to end than to reflect, remember, and reconcile what really matters to me?

As I reflect over the past 11 months, I can capture my reflection with 4 statements:

Life is a gift.

Life is challenging.

Life is decision making.

And life is a choice.

In this last column I would like to attempt to recap the past 11 months of writing.

In my intro column “This is me”, I explained who I am and what led me to begin a column. I highlighted three statements of who I am in an effort to set the stage for where my words for my columns come from. I am a lifelong learner, I am a fighter and survivor, and I am my faith. These statements continue to capture the essence of who I am and how I lead my life.

In September, I wrote about CRT and I challenged the Enumclaw community to do their research in a column titled, “CRT: Read Don’t React”. I challenged others to see beyond their own ideas and perceptions of what “racism” is and what it feels like. Regardless of how you feel about “racism” or don’t feel; attempt to understand how others have been and are still being impacted by the racism that is present in our community even today. Researching and learning to inform a response will produce better outcomes than immediate reactions.

In October I had planned to write a piece in celebration of Latin/Hispanic heritage month. It was going to be titled “Puente”. In reflection, I wish I had continued to write about my Latin/Hispanic experience. I realized I allowed myself to be distracted by my reaction to an incident that happened during a high school sports event. Ironic, I know. I had written the previous month about not reacting and then did the very opposite. I was distracted by my emotions of unresolved experiences my family has experienced in this community. I am not sorry I reacted. I now realize that sometimes reactions are needed for a full release of those emotions that sometimes get bottled up inside.

November, “Love, Regardless. It is a choice”, captured my view of the church’s position in current world issues. I reiterated my own stance and how I believe my faith plays a role into my daily life practices. I also explained that my stand does not and should never inhibit my ability to honor and acknowledge others’ deeply held beliefs and perspectives. I continue to reiterate this daily.

Refocus and gratitude was the theme for December’s column. In “’Tis the season of remember, reflection and gratitude” I concluded with how I stay focused on gratitude. I am a firm believer of the following tactics:

1. I apologize and extend forgiveness. (without expectation of reciprocation).

2. I begin my day with positive thoughts/music/readings.

3. I pause in the moments I feel negativity creeping in. (Breathe deep and repeat step 2.)

4. I stay connected to those people who inspire, encourage, and love me.

In 2022, I began the year with a hopeful challenge for myself to build sustainable connections. Keeping myself accountable for my own privileges I created a checklist for myself to do so.

1. Am I being honest and transparent?

2. Can I give and receive honest feedback?

3. Will I be accepted for who I am and where I am?

4. Can I accept them for who they are and where they are?

These are four questions that keep my heart safe and my reality grounded.

February was a “fight for freedom” remembrance. I attempted to capture the essence of my experience with the health care system and the continued challenge of having a choice in my own health care. As I recollect my memory of this column I chuckle a little. I sat in a conference earlier this week and heard our health care system (big pharma, insurance carriers, health institutions, government), referred to as “The Cartel”. Look up the definition of the cartel and perhaps you might feel the same way as the speaker did and I do.

In March I made my best attempt at sharing todays generational struggles: “Today’s youth experiment: we must not judge”. I spoke about what it has been like parenting adult children. In addition, I urged readers to question their own assumptions of where the youth of today should be. Today’s generation is not living in “your” yesterday’s environment.

“We must be less performative and do something concrete to enact change” was the theme of April’s column. I provided a few ideas on how I believe I can be more intentional in my own activism.

Do your own research. Educate yourself on the issues of equity, diversity and inclusion. Invest into your knowledge and make your own decisions. Do not rely on others to educate you. Do not hit the share button until you have done your own research.

Be an active listener. Amplify the voices of those who need your allyship. Listen to understand and not respond. Step outside of yourself and truly engage in dialogue with curiosity and refrain from judgment.

Own your privilege. Recognize when your own societal privilege is overshadowing the cause. Being an ally doesn’t require a selfie with your BIPOC, Transgender, LGBTQ, friends. Be better, do better.

Take action. Get involved and join the march. Do not support your fellow people only when it is convenient to maintain your status and privilege. Action happens all year long, not just in Black History Month, Hispanic/Latin Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, National Women’s History Month, and all the other great causes.

May was the month that Mother’s Day is celebrated. I couldn’t help but write about intention and impact and the importance of both with communicating with others. I recalled a text conversation with my eldest child. In short the reminder is to use “I” statements more often. Be intentional about taking ownership of what you are saying and how it is will impact the other(s) you are speaking to.

June – oh June. I had many moments of life transition happening in June and wrote my column towards the end of the month. Thus, I wrote about “change”. Change and new things are not easy for everyone. The challenge is recognizing that we sometimes move forward in a paradox. I challenged myself to become more intentional for change I want to see happen in our community.

And, as I conclude, we are in July 2022. I have had so many great opportunities and have grown to be more and more appreciative of our community over the last year. While we all have our differences, I believe we can still see the change we need in our community, be the change we need in our community and become doers of that change. It has been a pleasure sharing my voice and I hope you saw yourself represented in some of my columns in a positive and challenging manner. Thank you Enumclaw Readers!