#reverb10 December 29-31

Dec 29 Prompt:  Defining moment. Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year.

Author -  Kathryn Fitzmaurice

The biggest thing I learned this year is that my children are their own beings.  They are not just extensions of my husband and myself.   That they have minds and souls of their own and they have the ability to pick and choose - to make decisions - good ones and bad ones.   And that despite my best efforts from preventing them from falling hard - they will still fall - and the seemingly the more I try to prevent the fall - the worse it is for them.  Instead what I need to do is let them fall - which is is worse for me.  But, it is essential for all of us that this happens.  We got a lot of bruises this year.

Dec 30 Prompt:  Prompt: Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What's the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?

Author -  Author: Holly Root

Forgiveness.  I learned how to receive and forgive.  And to move forward.

Dec 31 Prompt:  Core story. What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.)

Author: Molly O'Neill

My core story is one of a journey.  I am no longer content to just sit static and not move forward.  I want to continually be learning and growing.  I want to open my heart more and more.  I want to risk loving others.  I want to be challenged.  I want to stretch out of my comfort zone.  I want to engage others on the journey.  I want to hear and tell stories.  I do not want life to just past me by.  I learned this past year that I am stronger for the struggles I have faced.  My confidence is higher and I am willing to step up to the challenge.

These set of #reverb10 prompts - gave me some good direction in reviewing the previous year.  I see that a common theme was overcoming - standing firm - starting over.  And delighting in the opportunities that presented themselves.  Big or small.  Taking the time to appreciate the good and the bad.  I am grateful for it all.