“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” Oprah Winfrey
As the year draws to a close, and I prepare my resolutions for the new year, I ponder the past 12 months for lessons and blessings. 2021 was not the magical bridge from 2020 that I hoped; it was a very rough start, ending with another Covid bang! We had to cancel our trip home to New York to be with my family for Christmas as more than half of them tested positive for Covid and the other half was quarantining. Despite the rocky beginning and hardships over the course of 2021, there have been many lessons and blessings.
Lessons
I learned in 2020 and 2021 that sometimes the impossible is possible, we are stronger and more adaptable than we imagine, and by having a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with the right people, we can not only overcome, but we can achieve greatness during dark times.
Blessings
My greatest blessing is family and my greatest privilege is to be a mother to my boys. My oldest son Brandon turned 21 and moved to Utah in August to finish college. Covid was the hardest on him in our household, with the isolation and virtual school. It is exciting to see him happy and thriving. My youngest son Liam turned 13 and is in 8th grade. He powered through the pandemic like a champ, keeping up his grades at school, surfing every day, going back to basketball when he could, and becoming very fond of gaming with his friends. Both boys were very protective of me during the pandemic as I have an autoimmune disease and take medications that suppress my immune system. I am so grateful for the sacrifices they made to keep me safe.
Then I am blessed with my work family – my team at Moore Law for Children. These women are intelligent, compassionate, dedicated, fun, and enthusiastic. They work hard every day to improve the lives of our clients. Their support makes it possible for me to do what I do.
Our greatest blessing is the opportunity to be of service to our clients and our community. This year we served over 175 families, in the areas of adoption, assisted reproduction contracts, conservatorships, legal guardianships, divorce, estate planning, special education and school discipline. And to give back to our community, we continued the Wave of Change campaign I started in 2020. Sixteen months, sixteen projects. This December, through the non-profit Tony’s Treehouse, we adopted a family for Christmas where we bought and wrapped gifts for the young couple, their two young daughters aged 1 and 7, and the grandmother. New warm coats for all, a new pink bike and matching helmet, books and learning toys, and a warm electric blanket, as we covered the costs for unfinished dental work for the grandmother. My son Liam loved helping shop for the children’s gifts and even donated some of his own unused toys. See below for a summary of the Wave of Change projects in 2020-2021.
Resolutions
My new year’s resolutions? Well, taking those 2021 lessons and blessings into the new year. Continuing to live a purpose driven life. Persevering when faced with obstacles. Embracing opportunities. Experiencing gratitude every day. Giving back. Spending time with the people I love. And I am definitely going to start exercising and eating healthier this year!
Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your life. I hope 2022 brings many blessings upon you and your family. Happy New Year.
Meldie Moore
and the whole team at Moore Law for Children
Summary of Wave of Change Campaigns:
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
As a small business owner and resident of Laguna Beach, Meldie Moore of Moore Law for Children, inspired from a quote of Mother Teresa, made a plan to help neighboring small business owners in Laguna Beach, even in a small way, while creating opportunities for team bonding within her firm who were working virtually.
She believed one person can make a difference, like a stone thrown in the water casts a ripple. Together, the ripples can come together to form a wave. A wave of change for the better. So began the “Wave of Change” in September of 2020.
2020
September: We supported small local stores for National Small Business Week by spending $1,000 in one hour.
October: We supported small women owned service business for National Women’s Small Business Week by treating my team to massages, pedicures and haircuts.
November: We selected and donated to 10 local non-profits.
December: We supported small businesses and donated holiday gifts to a local shelter for teenagers, Waymakers.
2021
January: We held a clothing drive for The Friendship Shelter, a local homeless shelter in Laguna Beach.
February: We collaborated with the Council on Aging to deliver handmade Valentine’s Day cards to over 1000 seniors and disabled adults living in facilities.
March: We participated in a 5K walk and donated business attire for Women Helping Women, an organization dedicated to helping men and women reenter the work force.
April: We organized a beach clean-up at Crystal Cove.
May: Gratitude Practices: we participated in daily gratitude practices as a team for 30 days.
June: We supported local restaurants by bringing in lunch once a week for the team.
July: We donated to the Arthritis Foundation as a tribute to my living with Rheumatoid Arthritis since age 10.
August: We celebrated the arts at Pageant of the Masters and donated to the Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts which serves disabled children and their families.
September: For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we went to great lengths, literally! We cut off our lengths of hair to donate to children with cancer or hair loss. Find out how you can donate here. Or to make a donation to the American Cancer Society here.
October: Clothing drive for Women Helping Women.
November: Human Options Thanksgiving Sisterhood Event wherein we donated supplies and created Thanksgiving meal baskets for three families.
December: Adopt-a-Family for Christmas through the nonprofit Tony’s Treehouse.
