One Little Word for 2025

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
~Francis Scott Key

My One Little Word for 2024 was "Open." Such a perfect word for this year...I really enjoyed being open to trying new things. When it came time to choose a word for 2025, I was reluctant to pack "Open" away so let's say I'm just adding it to my wordhoard instead.

My OLW for 2025 was pretty easy to pick, especially when I realized that what I fear most is being a coward (is that ironic? haha). It's a word that makes me feel better just thinking about it:

This week, I went to Reporters Without Borders' Press Freedom Awards in D.C. What an inspirationally brave group of people from all around the world. One winner reports on victims of terrorism-sponsored sexual violence. Grim work. This evening impressed upon me how vital it is to keep track of what is happening even if doing so doesn't stop it.

Another winner has been documenting war crimes in Ukraine and training journalists to record witness statements in a way that can be used in court. Her investigations helped lead to an arrest warrant for Putin by the International Criminal Court.

Michel Martin from Morning Edition read us the First Amendment. The very first one, even before the one about guns:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Ms. Martin talked about the importance of local newspapers. (Consider subscribing to yours!) She also talked about people's urge to not pay attention to the news. Russians had the same urge after Putin took over, she noted, but it didn't work out well for them ("you may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you!"). I think reading the news in limited amounts helps. Just enough that you stay informed but not defeated. That sweet spot can change depending on the day.

Time for a brave poem! Who else but Alberto Ríos?

excerpts from
A Sustainable Courage
by Alberto Ríos

When I pick up my newspaper, it weighs 50 lbs.—
It's full of problems, people arguing, dying, disasters.
Picking up that paper is an act of courage.
Facing that paper only begins our day, begins our wondering
Where to go next...

Much has been asked of us, and much we have freely given.
We know that yesterday has made us and tomorrow will receive us,
No matter what. But have we earned our way?
When we give water to each other, will we replace it, too?

When we breathe the air, will we keep it clean? Every day,
What we do extends us, me to you, you to me, neighbor to neighbor,
All of us in action. All of us affected. We have learned—
And learning is everything—that even the smallest act matters.

******************

I'm planning on "studying" courageous people in 2025, which will consist of keeping a notebook with brief info about brave people throughout history. I thought about putting the info on here, but it seemed like it might make it too crowded so instead I will email the info to a "Brave People" list. If you want to receive sporadic messages from me, email tabatha at tabathayeatts dot com.

The Apples in my Orchard has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Carol!