wk4 Response to Monica Heaney

                                            Monica Heaney

    “Being the Board” is something I’ve learned this year with a full time job, Graduate school, three young children, and a husband. Making the choice to go back to school was difficult, but I committed myself and here I am. If I decided not to go through with this Graduate program, I am certain that I would have blamed my husband for not being able to help out, or the ages of my children and their needs.  I don’t think it was a conscious decision to “be the board,” I needed it to be that way and it has actually benefited my family and me.  Through this crazy year, I have learned to give everyone in my family an A for helping and understanding. They have all kept that grade up. My husband has especially earned the A. I feel like this year we have all become game pieces who worked strategically to get through homework, tests, games, holidays, and special occasions. Now, I can happily say that the end is almost here, my kids are happy and well, and I think food shopping is going to be my husband’s new permanent job. More importantly, my kids have seen the value my husband and I place on education rather than just hear about it. We were all students this year and we have all learned so much.

         My favorite part of Chapter 11 was reading the words of Marianne Williamson. After reading those words over and over, I typed and printed them. I will frame them and hang them in my children’s room. As I read her words, and thought about how I wanted to share them with my children, I also thought how I often want to pass along messages as great as this one. My new goal is to hear them and live them myself first, then pass them along.

Monica, you are such an example of the Marianne Williamson quote.  You have let your own light shine this year through it ALL and by doing that have allowed your family to show their true lights as well.  You have also allowed your group to shine along with you.  This has been a life changing, empowering year, I could not have done it without you!  Thank you for all of your chats and encouragement and laughs and fun!  I know that it is because of our group that I got through this year.  There were times when I wanted to surrender to the negative thoughts of my mechanical self, that I was not good enough to do this.  I too could have come up with a million excuses as to why I shouldn't complete this year.  You were always there with encouragement and support... I am eternally grateful, thank you!  I look forward to seeing where our new journeys bring us:)