My mom outside our motel- Remkus Fishing Station in the background.

My mother taught us many things-how to make a bed with hospital corners, how to fold towels, how to iron pillowcases, but one thing I think she forgot to teach us was how to practice self-care. In her life, everyone and everything came first and she was last on her own list. I know it wasn’t easy raising six kids and running our motel-everything from cleaning, reservations, ordering, you name it-she took care of it-and with such a kind and welcoming nature. She did everything standing up as well-cleaning fish, baking, laundry-there was no ‘down’ time in her life- as in sit down, let down, lie down. Mom was such a fine example of everything else in life-other than self-care.

It is hard to live with that example and then ascribe to the importance of self-care but, as I watch my body fall apart before my eyes, I realize it is indeed time! If you grew up as I did, you take care of everything and everyone before than- more than- and better than- yourself. And if there is time in our harried days, we try to sneak a little bit of ourselves in.

As the saying goes - ‘love your neighbor AS yourself’-not more than, not instead of, not after. That old biblical expression insinuates that we should indeed ‘love ourselves’ first-before we can truly and authentically love our neighbor. And I’m going to propose that loving ourselves means taking care of our bodies, our minds and our spirits.

So, I’m thinking that in 2025-I will try to learn to take care of myself- walk, read, ponder, write, use moisturizer, go to the ocean with a book and a beach chair, make soup, try new recipes, listen to my favorite music, reconnect with old friends, take long showers or baths, play my guitar- live my life as best I can. I’m counting on a heaven-I got a bunch of people and pets waiting there- but if not- I want to make the most of the life I have left. Won’t you join me?

And of course, there will be time for taking care of others, helping our world, our friends, our neighbors, animals, planting trees and flowers and helping where needed. But you know it’s the old ‘oxygen mask on yourself first’ thing- we can’t be at our best to help others when we are feeling depleted and used up.

And just another thought- if you are a parent- please consider taking the time to teach your children about self-care as well - by setting a good example-and letting them know that life is a gift to be enjoyed- your value is not based solely on the amount of work you do, how much money you earn, your grades or how much you can give. You’ve got your own soul to feed – time to ‘fill her up’.

Wishing you all the most wonderful new year-2025-Stayin’ Alive! Your best year yet!

Ready, Set, Go-New Year-New Me!