If 2025 had a heartbeat, for me it would sound like children laughing, pages turning, poems being read out loud, and communities coming together with open hearts. This year wasn’t about one big moment, it was about many meaningful ones, stitched together by love, purpose, and service.
So grab a seat (and maybe a slice of pizza), because here’s a look back at a year that reminded me exactly why I became an author.
Kicking Off 2025 with Little Readers and Big Smiles
The year began exactly how I hoped it would, with connections, community, and young hearts excited about stories.
My very first event of 2025 was spent with some amazing preschoolers, reading poems from A Lesson A Day: A Child’s Way. There’s something incredibly special about watching young faces light up when a story speaks directly to them. To make the day even sweeter, I donated a teddy bear and copies of both of my books, turning a simple reading into a moment of comfort, connection, and joy.
This event wasn’t just fun; it was impactful in ways that research confirms.
It’s also about bonding and emotional development. Shared reading moments like these strengthen relationships between adults and children and help young learners associate books and words with comfort, curiosity, and love, creating positive foundations for lifelong learning.
- Early book reading supports language growth, communication, and cognitive development.
- Reading together encourages social interaction, attention, and memory skills.
- Shared story time strengthens emotional bonds and creates memories that last.
It set the tone for the year: books, connection, and giving back, a foundation I continued to build on in every event that followed.
March 2025: Teaching Kids the Healing Power of Poetry
In March, I hosted a poetry workshop to help children connect with the healing power of poetry. This workshop was not about perfection or performance. It was about expression, feelings, and allowing words to create a safe space.
For many children, poetry becomes a way to explore emotions they do not yet have words for. Seeing kids begin to understand that poetry can help them process their feelings was a powerful experience for me and the families involved.
My publisher created a video highlighting the workshop, and it captured the heart of what I believe. Poetry is not just art. For young minds, it can be a form of therapy that supports emotional growth, resilience, and communication.
May–June 2025: Conversations That Matter on The Lighthouse Keepers Podcast
In May, I had the honor of being a guest on The Lighthouse Keepers Podcast, where we talked openly about grief, healing, empowerment, and how children’s literature can guide families through tough seasons.
Being on a podcast like The Lighthouse Keepers allowed me to share not just my books, but also the heart behind them. Podcasts are powerful platforms for authors because they create space for deeper conversations about experience, emotion, and connection. Research shows that storytelling on audio platforms reaches listeners in a way that feels personal and engaging, especially when addressing topics like grief, resilience, and emotional health. Podcasts help build trust and community by allowing listeners to hear the human voice behind the message.
In June, a follow-up article titled “Cheryl Williams Featured on The Lighthouse Keepers Podcast” was published on my website reflecting on that conversation. This article offered readers an opportunity to revisit those themes, explore practical tips for supporting children, and connect with the ideas we discussed in depth. While this moment was brief in the grand scope of the year, it mattered deeply. It served as a reminder that storytelling is more than books and podcasts. It creates bridges between people and experiences, allowing families to feel seen, heard, and understood.
These insights support why this moment with The Lighthouse Keepers Podcast was not only memorable but also meaningful in spreading awareness, compassion, and understanding to listeners navigating similar journeys.
June 10, 2025: Creating an Audiobook with Young Voices
One of the most meaningful milestones of the year happened on June 10th.
I invited three young girls who love my book to join my sons and me to create an audiobook—one that could reach children everywhere with just one click. This wasn’t just a recording session; it was mentorship, collaboration, and representation in action.
See what we wrote about it in our prior blog: A Lesson A Day: A Child’s Way – New Audiobook for Kids
The response was incredible. The YouTube video has since passed 1.2K views! showing just how excited families are for content made with children, not just for them.
Juneteenth 2025: Poetry, History, and Community at the Walt Whitman Birthplace
June also brought a beautiful collaboration for Juneteenth at the Walt Whitman Birthplace, a setting deeply rooted in American literary history.
This celebration blended poetry, live saxophone music, history, soul food, and community spirit. I had the privilege of sharing poetry in a space dedicated to literary legacy, surrounded by people who gathered to honor freedom, culture, and creativity. The atmosphere reflected exactly what Juneteenth represents. It was a day of remembrance, expression, and togetherness.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and has increasingly become a time for education, reflection, and cultural celebration. Publicly available educational sources note that community-centered Juneteenth events play an important role in preserving history, amplifying Black voices, and creating spaces where art and storytelling help bridge past and present. Poetry and music are often central to these gatherings because they allow history to be felt as well as learned.
Holding this event at the Walt Whitman Birthplace added another meaningful layer. Literary spaces like this serve as reminders that poetry has long been a tool for social reflection, truth-telling, and unity. Sharing poetry there during a Juneteenth celebration reinforced how words can honor history while inspiring future generations.
It was one of those days that stays with you long after it ends. Not because of any single moment, but because of the collective energy, the shared stories, and the reminder that literature and community remain powerful forces for connection and understanding.
June 29, 2025: Celebrating the Audiobook at Adventureland
After all the hard work that went into creating the audiobook, we celebrated the best way possible by letting kids be kids.
On June 29th, we took the children to Adventureland to celebrate their achievement. The day was filled with laughter, rides, and endless smiles. It was pure joy, and it reminded all of us that celebration is an important part of the journey, especially for young people who put their hearts into something meaningful.
Moments like this matter more than they sometimes appear on the surface. Publicly available research on child development highlights that celebrating accomplishments helps children build confidence, motivation, and a positive sense of self. When children see their efforts recognized, it reinforces the idea that their voices and contributions matter.
This day was not just about fun. It was about affirming creativity, teamwork, and follow-through. The audiobook project gave these children a sense of ownership and pride, and the celebration gave them a memory tied to success, encouragement, and shared joy.
Sometimes growth looks like learning and creating. Other times, it looks like laughing on rides and enjoying the moment together. Both are equally important.
September 2025: More Fun and Memories at Dave & Buster’s
September brought more smiles and shared experiences with a fun-filled trip to Dave & Buster’s. It was one of those days that reminded everyone that connection does not always have to be formal to be meaningful.
Community building sometimes looks like deep conversations and reflection. Other times, it looks like games, laughter, friendly competition, and simply spending time together. Both matter. Publicly available research on child and family engagement consistently shows that shared recreational experiences help strengthen relationships, build trust, and create positive emotional memories, especially for children and teens.
For the kids, this day was about joy and belonging. For the adults, it was a reminder that creating safe, happy spaces is just as important as teaching lessons or sharing stories. These moments of togetherness help reinforce confidence, social skills, and a sense of community that carries over long after the games are over.
Sometimes the most meaningful memories are made when everyone is simply allowed to relax, laugh, and be present.
October 2025: Stories of Strength and Survival
In October, we gathered to hear from two breast cancer survivors who courageously shared their stories of strength, resilience, and survival. Their words were honest, heartfelt, and deeply moving.
Hearing survivors speak openly about their journeys carries a unique kind of power. Publicly available health and community research consistently shows that survivor storytelling plays an important role in emotional healing, awareness, and hope. When survivors share their experiences, they not only process their own journeys but also help others feel less alone in theirs.
Their willingness to speak reminded everyone in the room that hope can exist even in the hardest battles. Stories like these help shift fear into understanding and uncertainty into strength. They create space for compassion, encouragement, and connection, especially for those who may be facing similar challenges silently.
This gathering was not about statistics or timelines. It was about human courage. It was about honoring survival, acknowledging struggle, and recognizing the power of community support. Moments like this stay with you because they remind us that survival is not just physical. It is emotional, mental, and deeply personal.
November 2025: Supporting Children Through Grief
We came together to support children who are navigating grief, a journey that looks different for every child and every family. During this time, I donated 10 additional copies of The Brightest Star That Shines Tonight to Camp Good Mourning. This book was written to help children understand loss, love, and remembrance, and knowing it will reach children who truly need it means everything to me.
Grief in childhood is often misunderstood. Publicly available research and child development resources emphasize that children experience grief in waves and may not always have the language to express what they feel. Books created specifically for grieving children are widely recognized as valuable tools because they offer comfort, validation, and gentle ways to start difficult conversations. Stories help children understand that they are not alone and that their feelings are normal and worthy of care.
Organizations like Camp Good Mourning exist to provide safe, supportive environments where children can process loss alongside peers who understand what they are going through. Contributing books to programs like this extends the message beyond a single event. It places stories directly into the hands of children who may need reassurance during quiet moments, bedtime reflections, or counseling sessions.
This moment was not about numbers or recognition. It was about showing up for children during one of the most vulnerable seasons of their lives and offering them words of comfort, hope, and love.
December 2025: Ending the Year with Laughter, Bowling, and Pizza
We wrapped up 2025 the best way possible with laughter, bowling, gifts, family fun, and yes, plenty of pizza.
After a year filled with readings, workshops, collaborations, and meaningful conversations, this celebration was about simply being together. It was relaxed, joyful, and full of genuine smiles. Moments like these allow everyone to pause, reflect, and enjoy the connections that were built throughout the year.
Publicly available research on family and community engagement highlights the importance of shared recreational activities in strengthening relationships and emotional well-being. Celebrations that focus on togetherness rather than achievement help reinforce a sense of belonging, especially for children. They create positive memories that children carry with them long after the event ends.
This gathering was not about checking off another milestone. It was about gratitude. It was about slowing down, laughing together, and recognizing that joy is just as important as purpose. Ending the year this way felt right. Not flashy. Not rushed. Just joyful, grateful, and full of meaning.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
2025 reminded me that being an author isn’t just about writing books. It’s about showing up. Listening. Giving. Creating safe spaces for children and families to feel seen and supported.
Thank you to every child, parent, educator, survivor, listener, and community partner who walked alongside me this year. You made these moments possible, and meaningful.
Here’s to carrying these lessons, stories, and connections into the next chapter. 💛
