2026 New Beginnings

       (A Dinner Out with My Love)

Ken was confused as he looked at our cat, who was perched right next to the Christmas tree on high alert. Her front paws were on the stand next to the tree. She looked like she was ready to pounce. However, she had not bothered the Christmas tree the whole Christmas season, and it was time to take the tree down. It was so weird.

(The cuddle bug-& the predator)

Then, he saw it, the flutter of butterfly wings. Mind you, we live in Ohio, and it is January!!! How in the world is this thing IN our house? How has a butterfly lived? Did the cat bring it in? Wait – it is COLD outside. A quick call to the only person we know who studies these things, and sure enough he confirmed what we suspected…the butterfly had emerged as the live tree had warmed up from our fireplace! Go figure! We were amazed.

  (Isn't she amazing?!!? Her life was so different than most like her.)

So here we were January of 2026! How can we keep this little lady safe from the cat, allow her to live her best life, and allow a life lesson to unfold before our eyes?

  (A carrot? A parsley plant - do you know how hard it is to find these in the winter?!?! Honey water)

As we googled and searched ways to feed, water, and sustain life for a butterfly (in the midst of winter, one that cannot fly, and one we cannot release into the wild), we found words and phrases such as “new beginnings” and “transformation” and “good luck” referring to a chrysalis that becomes a new being in your very own home and safekeeping. We were touched by this. I mean, we had live trees almost every Christmas we have been married, and this had never happened before.

We started thinking about 2026 and all that lies ahead. It was a bright spot as we thought about where we had been and where we might go, who we might be, how we might show up in the world. (At the same time I had just finished a collage with my colleagues and educator who helped me see where I had been, where we were going, and how I might be gracious to the person I was.)

(Just a snippet of our collage at the end of Unit IIA. A little reflection, creativity & self-care)

Ken said, “Think about the fact that we have made it through so much. I feel like we can breathe a little easier. You will be finishing your residency. And my job is going well. We are recovering.”

  (A Christmas gift - that speaks volumes. Right?!?! It's a pen. Haha!)

It is so easy for me, and others, to see the negatives as outweighing the positives. But, because of the “transformation” that has happened in our lives over the last several years, I am grateful I am not who I used to be. And I am grateful I am not WHERE I used to be. It is amazing that I can even say that right now.

Today is a day that many celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.  And, talk about transformation!!! I think he would cry over all the set-backs, but I do believe his willingness to take a stand against injustice, his decision to risk his life on behalf of people – not ideas, nor institutions but HUMAN BEINGS is a challenge to us – to me.

In these moments will we rise together for justice, equality, and the dignity of every living soul? Will we acknowledge that all of creation bears witness to the creativity and delight of God? Will we allow God to transform our thinking and vision to see the very image of God that resides within all. The Imago Dei that is indeed in every single face, every single body, and every single soul – yes and indeed in all those I deeply disagree with.

The transformation must be in me. The light must pour out from me. The love must pour out from me. I must “be - being” transformed continually to see with a new lens, with new eyes, if you will. I must remain curious and determined to work for the civil rights the human rights of others to be seen, honored, and known. I must speak out, act and advocate even and especially when I would rather throw my hands up in utter dismay and disgust. I must acknowledge that “humanity” was deemed “very good” by a Creator who knew we were capable of choosing selfishly/inhumanely or for the good of ALL people, especially the marginalized. And I must never underestimate the harm done to many in this world when I choose to remain silent or childishly think I can possibly understand the demise of so many from my seat of privilege. So much of my understanding is affected by proximity.

Just recently I contacted a former student who is now pastoring and leading a church. We had connected long ago on the fact that I wanted to know better and do better as a white, privileged woman, with much social capital who was largely ignorant of the racism, power and hierarchy in the realm of church, institutions and empire even in the very founding of our country as well as everyday practice. I told him I am listening to him. He has much to teach me. I am listening to, reading and paying attention to the black and brown people who have lived quite a different reality than I have.

I am also in contact with many from the LGBTQIA+ community that help me lean ever closer to the heart of God by their testimony and their leadership, while just starting the book “The Children Are Free” by Rev. Jeff Miner and Rev. John Tyler Connoley.

It makes sense then that I embark on this book, “Injustice And The Care of Souls: Taking Oppression Seriously in PASTORAL CARE” by Kujawa-Holbrook/Montagno in this my last unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. There is much to learn. There are many ways in which to be transformed. There are ‘new beginnings’ (seems a redundant word grouping) and yet…

Here’s to 2026 – Here’s to New Beginnings – Here’s to Transformation yet again!

Let’s gooooo!!!!

P.S. Also, KEN turns 60 this year!!! New beginnings Babe! Oh how I love you!

(This is my Uncle Jim Monck. He is now with Jesus. He is no longer suffering. But, we are sad.)