No matter what you do, writing, making collages, or making flower arrangements, you weave together beauty, thoughtful reflection, and a great deal of interesting features. Thank you for this end of the year reflection.
I wonder why we think we wouldn’t be carrying parts of one year into the next. Is that a trait of magical thinking? If so, I certainly must do a lot of it. But, don’t you just wish during those times of family togetherness during the holidays when we are laughing and playing our games, or dancing such as your family did, we could box all that good up while throwing out the lingering concerns and illnesses with the turkey remains?
I love the last thoughts with which you left us. They are beautiful and hopeful and thoughts to remember. But maybe your final greeting when you say peace be with you is the best because if we can have peace through it all, what more can we ask for? Peace with YOU my dear friend.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here Sally. In some ways we do keep those good memories - we have photographic evidence and when we are truly in those moments they become implanted in our memories which we always carry with us. I found myself taking more photos and videos because there is no guarantee that these times will come again and in a way I was storing them up as treasure to revisit later.
Yes as you say, grateful that peace is available through it all.
Oh Sue, beautiful words and a message that very much resonates - "we carry with us all our experiences and previous versions of ourselves across the threshold of a brand-new year. This doesn’t mean we can’t grow and change but it doesn’t happen with the dropping of the ball in Times Square." So true. Sending MUCH love and stepping over the threshold (belatedly!) linking arms with you dear friend! ❤️🙏
I was thinking of you as I wrote that and that quote by Madeline l’Engle you have used before about being all the ages we have already been - something like that! 😉
Oh WOW 🥹 (well, no wonder it jumped out at me, then!). And yes!! You know it’s one of my favourites, that Madeline l’Engle quote—'I am still every age that I have been,’—ahhhhhghgh!! And wisdom I think that can be applied to so many areas, the mothers we’ve been, daughters we’ve been, friends … and so on.
I always appreciate your honesty, Sue. I think more people resonate with this low grade anxiety than with the shiny sparkly resolutions. (At least I do) you don’t sugar coat the real and hard, but your words are like balm. Soothing, gentle and kind. May you be met by Peace and Presence as you keep showing up. I’m grateful for you.
It was not an intentional choice - was it for you? Bout now that it’s there, I like to think of it as the soil for the new things that are growing within and around.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts so bravely and generously, Sue. Journaling and making pages is a wonderful way to ponder a subject or set of subjects that may be bothering us or making us joyful, or both! May the coming year open doors for goodness of all types and reasons to smile and be encouraged.
No matter what you do, writing, making collages, or making flower arrangements, you weave together beauty, thoughtful reflection, and a great deal of interesting features. Thank you for this end of the year reflection.
I wonder why we think we wouldn’t be carrying parts of one year into the next. Is that a trait of magical thinking? If so, I certainly must do a lot of it. But, don’t you just wish during those times of family togetherness during the holidays when we are laughing and playing our games, or dancing such as your family did, we could box all that good up while throwing out the lingering concerns and illnesses with the turkey remains?
I love the last thoughts with which you left us. They are beautiful and hopeful and thoughts to remember. But maybe your final greeting when you say peace be with you is the best because if we can have peace through it all, what more can we ask for? Peace with YOU my dear friend.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here Sally. In some ways we do keep those good memories - we have photographic evidence and when we are truly in those moments they become implanted in our memories which we always carry with us. I found myself taking more photos and videos because there is no guarantee that these times will come again and in a way I was storing them up as treasure to revisit later.
Yes as you say, grateful that peace is available through it all.
❤️❤️much love to you
Those photos become touchstones.
I'm following your lead Sue to look for and gaze in beauty as I learn to be present and listen to my true longings ❤️
May you find yourself with armloads of beauty and goodness all throughout 2025. 🙏
Oh Sue, beautiful words and a message that very much resonates - "we carry with us all our experiences and previous versions of ourselves across the threshold of a brand-new year. This doesn’t mean we can’t grow and change but it doesn’t happen with the dropping of the ball in Times Square." So true. Sending MUCH love and stepping over the threshold (belatedly!) linking arms with you dear friend! ❤️🙏
I was thinking of you as I wrote that and that quote by Madeline l’Engle you have used before about being all the ages we have already been - something like that! 😉
Oh WOW 🥹 (well, no wonder it jumped out at me, then!). And yes!! You know it’s one of my favourites, that Madeline l’Engle quote—'I am still every age that I have been,’—ahhhhhghgh!! And wisdom I think that can be applied to so many areas, the mothers we’ve been, daughters we’ve been, friends … and so on.
It is a remarkable thing to see how little change happens from moment to moment, day to day, but stretch that time out, and wow—so much change!
I’m grateful God lets us experience the change slowly (most of the time anyway).
Yes there is a grace to that slow change isn’t there? Although I also don’t always appreciate the slowness 😝
Have a Blessed 2025
Thank you - and same to you!
Sue, this quote reminds us that there's no magic wands or quick fixes --> 'a “long obedience in the same direction.'
I love that God is very much present and active every step of the way. I'm so grateful.
Looking forward to doing 2025 with you.
An ever-present and active God - yes! 🙌
I always appreciate your honesty, Sue. I think more people resonate with this low grade anxiety than with the shiny sparkly resolutions. (At least I do) you don’t sugar coat the real and hard, but your words are like balm. Soothing, gentle and kind. May you be met by Peace and Presence as you keep showing up. I’m grateful for you.
😭 thank you for this Janine - I do sometimes feel Eeyore-ish but I’m so glad some comfort and hope also comes through.
Peace and presence to you also my dear friend.
Such wise words.
May we all live 2025 with greater grace- for others and ourselves.
Yes, and amen to greater grace! Thanks for reading and responding. Wishing you a beauty-filled year.
I too ended up with blues and browns in my collage. 🤎🩵🌱
It was not an intentional choice - was it for you? Bout now that it’s there, I like to think of it as the soil for the new things that are growing within and around.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts so bravely and generously, Sue. Journaling and making pages is a wonderful way to ponder a subject or set of subjects that may be bothering us or making us joyful, or both! May the coming year open doors for goodness of all types and reasons to smile and be encouraged.
Thank you so much and may it be so for you as well. Blessings in 2025 🥰