Shall We Reflect?

This is my least favorite time of year. The frosts have come and stolen all my lovely plants and left sticks and dead leaves in their places. The porch is littered with wind-strewn debris and the task of getting rid of it only leaves a clean slate for tomorrow's fresh litter. The weeds are abundant and threatening to cover the softscape and hardscape and lethargy has gripped my body and mind -- the winter pseudohybernation has begun.

There are loads of indoor projects that I never want to do when the weather is fresh and brimming with promise. Yet, when outdoors is too cold and dead, the indoor projects sound to my brain like a stifling milieu that cannot be accomplished. And so the stacks languish along with my mind and a depression of spirit sets in for the long winter months(both of them!)

As this year comes to a close, I want to pull my eager spirit from the depths and thank God that we are all, my offspring, their offspring and us, geographically and spiritually close. The year has been challenging in many ways, but we all are relatively healthy and have welcomed new joy into our midst. Love has been allowed to fill our hearts over and over again. And we are learning anew how to give freedom to each other's means of self-expression. My little family is an expanded nest and we are glad for the opportunities to share our strengths and express our love.

I retired this past spring, and after 7 months am finally looking forward to establishing a new path for my thoughts and activities. I anticipate the new year will bring new means of creative and productive expression.

I am humbled and grateful for God's working in our lives. I am happy to once again feel the certainty that we will all meet life's challenges and overcome obstacles to thrive and grow. Yes, even though Winter's scrawny, dry, gripping fingers have grabbed our throats, we know the first blush of Spring is surely waiting patiently just offstage.

Be strong, my loves, and know that we will warm each other in the Winter cold and leap together into the laughing Spring. Happy New Year, all.