Being Authentic

During the first week of the new year when I visited blogs I read a lot about words for the year, intentions and commitments. It inspired me to ask myself whether I have a word for 2012, and if so, what it is. In 2011 I was late with my word - I actually waited until my birthday which will be in a week.

This first week of 2012 was weird. On the one hand is was wonderful because Kaefer didn't have to go back to school until today. I love it when she is at home. On the other hand this week brought back the dark memory of last year's first week when Katie with her fiancé Jesus and four members of his family were murdered. It hang like a shadow over that week. I thought a lot of their families, Katie's parents and her younger brother who were left behind and how they have been dealing with this incredible loss. I admire their courage and their good spirit. Although I wasn't particularly close to Katie, I considered her a friend and loved her quirkiness. All of us are still struggling with the horrible events.

But with the start of a new week it feels like the shadow is lifting. Some years ago, I have stopped making new year resolutions, because to me it seemed they were all doomed to fail. And usually they did (at least in my case). But I do like the idea of choosing a word for the year and let it be some kind of a guide.

Last year's word I chose was "authentic". Over the months I often wondered whether I lived according to that word. Often I felt I was only lukewarm in my attempt to be authentic, that I held back too much. However, I stopped doing things of which I felt they weren't me. I let go of people who drained my energy and let me spin around in circles, getting hurt. I no longer cared living up to expectations of others.

But there still is a long way ahead of me. When we wrote down our intentions for 2012 over at Vision and Verb, my pen simply spilled out "remaining true to myself". Being authentic. There you have it.

My new old word for 2012.


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Second WOYWW of the Year

Hello WOYWWers, I hope that 2011 has been good to you so far, you're warm and hopefully the flu bug hasn't met too many of you.

It seems that my table always looks pretty much the same:

Yes, I DID clean up last week, both table and floor, but it doesn't take long until the table looks messy again. This time I got out the "love stuff" - I'm currently designing my Valentine's class. Valentine's Day is NOT my favorite holiday, but it's so popular here in the US that it would be pretty stupid not to offer a class on Valentine's cards. This time, however, I want to try to avoid red and pink as much as possible and work with colors that you don't find that often in combination with Valentine's. I have to admit that after what had happened last week I'm having a hard time getting into the "heart stuff". Sorry that I mention this again, I'm still not comprehending it and can't make any sense of it (will I ever?).

Short and sweet today, and if you want to know what I am rambling about you should visit our "Queen of snoop" Julia at Stamping Ground. Enjoy the journey!

Orange Please!

Last night, when I couldn't sleep, I decided that it is time to move on. This was a horrifying week, and I sincerely hope that it was the worst week in 2011. A HUGE thank you to all of you for your comments, prayers and e-mails - this has been so much help, and I know that one day Katie's family will feel the same gratitude for this wonderful community as I do (they already do).

But I think it is time to move on - and I'm convinced that this is exactly what Katie would like us to do, living life to the fullest just as she did.

I visited Inspiration Avenue just to check what their weekly challenge is, and it's an easy one - about color. Which is my color? Well, of course it's

Orange is bold and bright, daring and full of life, feisty and fun. It doesn't always fit in and it doesn't get along with everyone. It brightens up a dark place and is the light in spooky times. It's earthy and strong, powerful and magical; warm and welcoming. It stands out, is different. But it is also maturity and wisdom combined with playfulness, though sometimes plain silly.

I need more orange in my life, and I'm determined to get it!

Good-bye Katie

It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that Katie lost her battle this afternoon. She was surrounded by her parents and her younger brother when she peacefully passed away.

My heart goes out to her family and to the family of her fiancé, Jesus, who died from his injuries earlier. I hope it is of some comfort to them that now Katie and Jesus will be together.

Thank you to all of you who responded to the post about Katie below, and who prayed for her and kept her in your hearts and thoughts.

Good-bye, beautiful girl. I feel blessed that I knew you. Your laughter, your funny stories, your humor and quick wit will stay in my heart. They still make me smile.

God bless you, Katie.

Prayers for Katie - Please Read

This beautiful young woman is 25-years-old Kate Donahue. I took this picture of her on Thanksgiving 2009. Today, I am asking for prayers for her.

I met Katie for the first time about five or six years ago at her aunt Trice's house. She came here to become a nurse. She is a beautiful, very optimistic woman, who always put smiles on other people's faces and more often than not makes us laugh with the wonderful stories she tells. She is fun to be around and has lived life to the fullest.

About a year ago she moved to Seattle where she had found a good job in health care, and where she also met Jesus, to whom she became engaged last November. And although I have never met Jesus, I heard that he was such a nice and wonderful guy and that he and Katie were so happy together.

They flew to Puerto Rico for New Year's to meet Jesus' family and celebrate their engagement and the holiday. On New Year's Day they were at a family gathering when, according to police report, Jesus' uncle came into the room, splashed kerosene on everybody and lit them with a torch made from a stick and a fuel-soaked cloth.

Both Katie and Jesus were seriously injured (burns over 80-90% of their body) and brought to a hospital in the town of Florida, PR. Jesus' 17-year-old sister died as well as a 32-year old cousin, and later, his grandmother. Wednesday early morning, Jesus died from his injuries.

On Wednesday, Katie was flown out to the University of Miami Burn Center where she is still in a coma. She is clinging to life, but her prognosis is said to be very poor. She does not know that Jesus has died. She is a strong woman and a fighter, so we're all praying for a miracle.

This is where you come in. I'm asking you for prayers for Katie and her family as well as for Jesus' family who has lost four of its members. Katie's parents and brother are with her in Miami and we know that many people across the US are praying for her. Although I am not a religious person, I do believe in the power of prayer, and Katie needs all the prayers possible.

Please pray for Katie.

If you want to get more information and how to further support the family, you can go to a newly established Facebook page for her and Jesus here. There is detailed info and a regular update on the wall. I will update on my blog as well.

Thank you.