Welcome to the Kate’s Team Blog! I am introducing this new effort on January 9, 2009 – the date that Kate would have turned 31. I often wonder what she work she would be doing, where she would be living, and the fun she would get up to if she was still with us; this question becomes even stronger on her birthday – exactly how would she celebrate? I am celebrating in her honor with some of her favourite things: I gave myself a manicure (clear, because I’m no good at that!), I made Nanaimo Bars (a delicious Canadian treat that you should all try) to share at work, and I am volunteering tomorrow evening for a local cancer support organization.
Also in honor of Kate’s 31st, I am very excited to inform you that the Kate’s Team website has been redesigned! It has taken a lot of work – and a lot of help – but I am very pleased with how it has turned out. Please take the time to visit http://www.katesteam.org/esteam.org and make sure to let me know what you think of the new design! I am open to suggestions, so don’t hold back in your comments.
I intend to use this blog to post news items relevant to the Team, but I would also like to use it as a space for you to join the conversation! I had so many amazing “remember when” conversations after my last Team email, and I would love to post some of those memories. If you have something you would like to contribute – a memory of Kate, a TFR memory, an upcoming event, news story, anything! – please email me and I will post it.
Kate spent a lot of time reflecting on life, and it is a practice I have tried to take up as well. One year ago, I began writing in a 10 year journal, which is a fun way to track what happens in life – the big and little events – over a longer period of time. It also provides space to explore personal goals for each year, something which I find much more realistic and valuable than new year’s resolutions. As 2009 approached and it was time to establish fresh goals, I revisited my 2008 goals to see exactly what I had accomplished throughout the year. One item that caught my attention was “to consciously find a source of hope in each day.” I actually really like this goal and will continue it into 2009 – it might sound trivial, but I believe it can hold quite a bit of significance.
The word “hope” has become a bit of a buzzword after the Obama campaign, but the concept is incredibly powerful. Hope was so essential to the Greeks and Romans that she was a Goddess. The Romans gave her the name of “last goddess,” because she was the last resource available to humans. In Greek mythology, Hope was trapped in Pandora’s Box when all evils of the world were released. In the story, it was ultimately her release that saved the world from all other evils.
Emily Dickinson wrote:
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.
I hope -- there's that lovely word again -- that you can find multiple sources of hope in your life throughout 2009 and beyond, and that we all live in a world in which a better tomorrow is much more than just “hope” for us all.
I will be thinking of all of you tomorrow, and how you make my life so much happier. I will also be celebrating Kate’s wonderful spirit and I hope you join me in wishing her a very happy birthday.
With lots of hopeful love,
Colleen
