A Year of Firsts

On the last day of 2025, I called a local radio program, Forum, to share my own small but delightful experience of collective effervescence. After Alexis Madrigal thanked me for calling in, it hit me: I’d been listening to this show for 30 years, and this was the first time I’d shared my voice on the air.

This got me thinking about just how many firsts I’d had this year, some public, many private, all milestones. 2025 was a year of change and challenge, of stepping forward and letting go. What follows is a simple list of firsts, paired with a first take on what I learned.

*If you’re a mother read December.

January

Graduated from Spirit Rock’s Year to Live program. Most of my friends questioned why I’d spend time exploring the reality that I’m going to die but I now talk about death more freely and “tomorrow is never promised” feels more real.

Learning: Memorizing a prayer, poem, or in this case the Five Remembrances, is powerful and supports me to change habitual thoughts and behaviors .

February

Told a vulnerable story on stage for The Moth at Freight & Salvage. My daughter, sister, and two friends were there cheering me on. Learning: Prepare, yes, but don’t overthink it.

March

Crawled under my house to change the heat-pump filter. Learning: I can do handywoman stuff AND I’ve got a rat living under my house.

April

Hired someone to help with the rat. Learning: Asking for help is wise.

May

Watched my son cross the stage to receive his Master’s in Social Work. Learning: Life really does come full circle.

June

Celebrated my youngest and last, child's graduation from high school. Learning: Endings are layered: pride, grief and wonder all at once.

July

Led a small group of artists in yoga, five mornings in a row… even though I’m not a yoga teacher. Learning: Willingness and lived experience go a long way!

August

Purchased a one-way plane ticket!!! Began a walking journey in St. Jean Pied-du-Port, France, with the intention of walking 500 miles across Spain to Santiago de Compostela (with many of your prayers and intentions in my pack 🙏🙏🙏 and I'm still carrying them). Learning: Open-ended travel is a rare privilege and the accompanying uncertainty, exhilarating!

September

Walked and walked and walked some more. Slept many nights on a bunkbed, it's mattress covered with a paper sheet (who knew?), in a room sometimes with strangers, sometimes with new friends, all pilgrims. Fell in love during a 20-kilometer stretch across the Meseta, and while it was unrequited, it was real and unforgettable. Learning: When the body and mind are content to simply put one foot in front of the other, the heart has space to open. Favorite mantra from the trip… Pilgrim is grateful. Pilgrim does not complain.

October

Returned home from a five-week, 500-mile adventure (thank you, Margie, my fearless pilgrim companion) to harvest 18 lbs. of honey from the hives in my backyard (thanks to Alan’s mentorship!). Oh… and turned 60. Learning: Aging is complicated and the love of dear friends and community means everything.

November

Recommitted to abstain from social media because it consistently leaves me feeling disconnected from myself which is the opposite of what I value most and is the opposite of what I need. Learning: Attention is limited and valuable and how I spend it, illuminates what is important to me. 

December

On Christmas morning, my children, mother and I sat beside the tree and as we looked around it became clear that I was the only one with gifts to open… a small pile of presents before me. Smiles spread across our faces, followed by laughter and disbelief (“Wait… really?”). This was a sweet and hilarious moment that got us all thinking that life does indeed change!

Questions: What’s it all about, this receiving and giving? What are life’s true gifts and how can we be that for each other?

I invite you to make your own list that doesn’t need to be logical but just simple, first thoughts, bullet point style, pen to paper. Maybe pull up your calendar to jog your memory but keep it easy and let yourself reminisce about all the little stuff too.

Email me your list if you feel moved to share .