My One Word for 2018, Paired with Three Related Words

Many people choose a personal word of the year to focus on for 365 days instead of making New Years resolutions.  I’ve been doing that for the past few years and think it’s a winning idea.  This year, though, one word isn’t quite enough. My one word for 2018 is **Family** paired with three related words …

Kindness, Patience and Compassion.

You see, my dear parents — aged 90 and 92 — have been living in their own home, and I brought them from another state recently — and quite abruptly — to live in a senior independent living center three miles from my house.

Their health has been declining rapidly, and it’s time to move them closer — since they were a six-hour drive away and I work full-time.

Many of the things they’ve done for a lifetime, they can no longer do.

It’s been a huge transition for all of us.

They are, understandably, pretty overwhelmed and a little fearful of this significant life change that includes the loss of driving and part of their cherished independence.

And I — having never parented my parents before — am feeling the same way.

I just hope that during 2018 I can keep my parents in the forefront and use all the kindness, patience and compassion possible as I help them navigate their new life, one day at a time.

Related blog posts:

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• My One Word for 2017
• How to Find the Perfect One Word for 2017
• My 2016 Word of the Year — and 247 Ideas for Yours
• My One Word for 2015 is Actually Two Words
• The Incredible Power of Words
• 2016 Life Goals
• 2015 Life Goals — Not Resolutions
• Mixed 2015 Life Goal Results: Some Wins, Some Dismal Failures
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• 15 Bucket List / Lifetime Goals Accomplished So Far: The Dream Versus the Reality
• Valuable Life Lessons My Parents Taught Me
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