thank you so much... I will say that I wouldn't have been this able to pivot twenty years ago! Comes with experience I guess..and honestly? I'll take this compared to the alternative. We have plenty of friends with family who didn't survive Covid...
One more thought.... amidst all the things you are now saying NO to, I love your awareness of and delight in all of the things you are now saying YES to!!!
AAAAAHHHHHH thank you for this! YES YES YES....this is such a key angle to view this from...instead of a lack, a problem, a "taking away from me"...what are the gifts, the abundances, the joys? Big kiss, Leah. I miss you.
WOW, Catherine. You turn a good phrase, my friend. I KNOW this took you some actual physical effort to gett all of this out into words, and it's just so beautiful and thoughtful and effective. I love how you think.
Oh Catherine, how like you to extract beauty and meaning from a pretty crummy situation. Thank you for these reflections and reminders. I came down with Covid in November, on my way to a wedding, no less — I got off the plane, turned right around and flew back the same day. Somehow I stumbled home and got into bed. I was in bed for about two weeks, and every day I was frustrated to tears that I couldn't manage to get any work done! From bed with Covid!! "But I could be writing!" I was beating myself up for the """weakness""" of needing to take time to heal without also working at the same time. Luckily Aaron was the dearest husband and helped me hear and accept my own neediness, as you say. Here's to a year of clarity, joy, and love.
dear sweet Noam, why are we so self abusive? Can you imagine one of your girls ill in bed, weeping for lack of ability to do her homework? It's heartbreaking. Thanks, America! :) I had no idea you had a beastly dance with Covid...two bedridden weeks is a long one. Take it from your Long Covid friend Catherine that you must recover VERY slowly...rest rest and more rest, and pace your return to normal work more slowly than whatever you have done so far! I'm sorry you had to miss a wedding. Biggest sigh.
May you be safe, happy, and healthy. May you be liberated. Praying for your healing in heart and body. I understand the uncertainty and frustrations of chronic illness. Every day is Christmas.
I adore you, Leon, thank you. I wish the same for you. Some day I'd love to talk in person and at length. John and I were just remembering how kindly you brought produce to his reading ten years ago...do you know he has another book and another reading this Sunday, here in Frenchtown? with Ross Gay. You will love it if you are free.
Dear Catherine, I would be happy to chat with you in person one day. Yes, I knew about John's book and the poetry reading. Unfortunately, some close friends are having a "white elephant" little Christmas gathering on Sunday at the exact same time. I would have loved to have listened to the two of them read. I will look for other opportunities to visit Frenchtown and to chat if you are up to it. Be well.
Your have been, and are, on quite a journey. You are a very descriptive and engaging writer. (and that, in itself, takes lots of energy) Remembering old times (very old and fading) of days in Flemington, New Jersey. Have thought of you and prayed for you (and yours) over the years. "...to everything, there is a season...." His love never fails. Hope to catch up with you (by text, messenger, email, or whatever...when you are willing and able).
Wow, Nancy, what a thingtyo hear your “voice” after all this time. Thank you for your prayers and for reading, and for the kind, encouraging word. My best to Greg and the kids, who are no longer anything like kids.❤️
Through your struggles and challenges your bright light has not been dimmed. Your lenses have just been changed and your light now shines in a new facet. And it is warm and glorious. Wishing you a Year of fulfillment for your heart ,mind ,spirit and body.
Why am I not surprised you continue to find your way through the mountains and valleys of life, all with a good attitude! I know there are days…but then we smile and realize how grateful we are for more days. Thanks for sharing your path to a better peace. I look forward to sharing more of it with you.
I really enjoyed reading this dear friend Catherine. So many things here! 2022 was a difficult year. Let's hope 2023 brings us more joy and togetherness!
Funny, as I sit here in Cape May Point, your email showed up! I just told a friend about the connection between our renter, you and Ron. I signed up for your writing before reading your story. My reason was selfish. I’m having shoulder replacement surgery in 20 days. I’m terrified, not of the pain, but of boredom. I won’t have the use of my right arm for 6 weeks and not complete use for 6 months. I just retired and have a list of art projects a mile long. They will need to be put on hold. I managed to finish one! ! It’s a book of stories and illustrations about my dogs. Without Matt’s help it wouldn’t be a reality. I will believe it when it shows up on Amazon!
I will learn to draw with my left hand and read more than I have had time for in many years. My friend Victor (think Elmer) has told me “Don’t worry Ms.Jonez, you are strongest woman I know. You will be OK.” He too, believes Christmas is everyday.
Oh Joan, so lovely to have you here! I’ll be looking for that book and thinking of you in the coming weeks. All that delicious time to read! I can’t wait to see your left-handed Art, too...
I selfishly hope that 2023 is the year you write a memoir. This was a lovely way to start my new year. I wish you enough energy and good health to do what you wish, and clarity of mind and spirit that you can avoid getting sucked into "shoulds" and "musts" and "have tos." xxoo
Ah Alyson! The memoir may come in chapters, right here, and fully out of any chronological sequence.... can that work? Thanks for the good wish. The fact is as it always has been: if I can avoid wishing for what I cannot have right now, I’ll be just fine. I do want to see your new place in 2023... sooner than later!
I just love you so very much. Thank you for sharing your journey and your insights. I have so many things spiraling in my brain about what you’ve endured and been able to see as valuable lessons. All I can say is thank you for the reminders about what life truly is for... being present and loving the small gifts that show up. I would love to see you more in 2023 (when you’re up for it) porch chats and tea perhaps. I will never mind a last minute cancellation as that is also my MO and comfort zone. The slow down has a way of making me panic as well, but when I stop and look at the true gifts of the unknown I can see how each day is Christmas. What a blessing to bring into 2023.
I love you too, Jamie! I appreciate you reading and taking the time to let me know how it lands! Let’s loosely plan a tea date... and then cancel it... and then plan it again! I want to see what you’re noodling with on one of these Christmas afternoons.
Admiring how you live life despite what it throws at you. You're inspirational!
thank you so much... I will say that I wouldn't have been this able to pivot twenty years ago! Comes with experience I guess..and honestly? I'll take this compared to the alternative. We have plenty of friends with family who didn't survive Covid...
One more thought.... amidst all the things you are now saying NO to, I love your awareness of and delight in all of the things you are now saying YES to!!!
AAAAAHHHHHH thank you for this! YES YES YES....this is such a key angle to view this from...instead of a lack, a problem, a "taking away from me"...what are the gifts, the abundances, the joys? Big kiss, Leah. I miss you.
WOW, Catherine. You turn a good phrase, my friend. I KNOW this took you some actual physical effort to gett all of this out into words, and it's just so beautiful and thoughtful and effective. I love how you think.
Oh Catherine, how like you to extract beauty and meaning from a pretty crummy situation. Thank you for these reflections and reminders. I came down with Covid in November, on my way to a wedding, no less — I got off the plane, turned right around and flew back the same day. Somehow I stumbled home and got into bed. I was in bed for about two weeks, and every day I was frustrated to tears that I couldn't manage to get any work done! From bed with Covid!! "But I could be writing!" I was beating myself up for the """weakness""" of needing to take time to heal without also working at the same time. Luckily Aaron was the dearest husband and helped me hear and accept my own neediness, as you say. Here's to a year of clarity, joy, and love.
dear sweet Noam, why are we so self abusive? Can you imagine one of your girls ill in bed, weeping for lack of ability to do her homework? It's heartbreaking. Thanks, America! :) I had no idea you had a beastly dance with Covid...two bedridden weeks is a long one. Take it from your Long Covid friend Catherine that you must recover VERY slowly...rest rest and more rest, and pace your return to normal work more slowly than whatever you have done so far! I'm sorry you had to miss a wedding. Biggest sigh.
Indeed — we are so often kinder to others than our own sweet, vulnerable, needy selves. Sigh indeed.
May you be safe, happy, and healthy. May you be liberated. Praying for your healing in heart and body. I understand the uncertainty and frustrations of chronic illness. Every day is Christmas.
I adore you, Leon, thank you. I wish the same for you. Some day I'd love to talk in person and at length. John and I were just remembering how kindly you brought produce to his reading ten years ago...do you know he has another book and another reading this Sunday, here in Frenchtown? with Ross Gay. You will love it if you are free.
Dear Catherine, I would be happy to chat with you in person one day. Yes, I knew about John's book and the poetry reading. Unfortunately, some close friends are having a "white elephant" little Christmas gathering on Sunday at the exact same time. I would have loved to have listened to the two of them read. I will look for other opportunities to visit Frenchtown and to chat if you are up to it. Be well.
Your have been, and are, on quite a journey. You are a very descriptive and engaging writer. (and that, in itself, takes lots of energy) Remembering old times (very old and fading) of days in Flemington, New Jersey. Have thought of you and prayed for you (and yours) over the years. "...to everything, there is a season...." His love never fails. Hope to catch up with you (by text, messenger, email, or whatever...when you are willing and able).
Wow, Nancy, what a thingtyo hear your “voice” after all this time. Thank you for your prayers and for reading, and for the kind, encouraging word. My best to Greg and the kids, who are no longer anything like kids.❤️
Through your struggles and challenges your bright light has not been dimmed. Your lenses have just been changed and your light now shines in a new facet. And it is warm and glorious. Wishing you a Year of fulfillment for your heart ,mind ,spirit and body.
Michelle, that is such a generous perspective. I’m wishing you the same and more! very glad to have you in my world.
Why am I not surprised you continue to find your way through the mountains and valleys of life, all with a good attitude! I know there are days…but then we smile and realize how grateful we are for more days. Thanks for sharing your path to a better peace. I look forward to sharing more of it with you.
Paul, you are the kindest brother in law one could hope for! It’s my absolute pleasure to write… thank you so much for taking the time to read. ❤️
I really enjoyed reading this dear friend Catherine. So many things here! 2022 was a difficult year. Let's hope 2023 brings us more joy and togetherness!
Amen to that, Emily! So much love for you in the hard times and the easy snowy mountain times.
Funny, as I sit here in Cape May Point, your email showed up! I just told a friend about the connection between our renter, you and Ron. I signed up for your writing before reading your story. My reason was selfish. I’m having shoulder replacement surgery in 20 days. I’m terrified, not of the pain, but of boredom. I won’t have the use of my right arm for 6 weeks and not complete use for 6 months. I just retired and have a list of art projects a mile long. They will need to be put on hold. I managed to finish one! ! It’s a book of stories and illustrations about my dogs. Without Matt’s help it wouldn’t be a reality. I will believe it when it shows up on Amazon!
I will learn to draw with my left hand and read more than I have had time for in many years. My friend Victor (think Elmer) has told me “Don’t worry Ms.Jonez, you are strongest woman I know. You will be OK.” He too, believes Christmas is everyday.
Oh Joan, so lovely to have you here! I’ll be looking for that book and thinking of you in the coming weeks. All that delicious time to read! I can’t wait to see your left-handed Art, too...
I selfishly hope that 2023 is the year you write a memoir. This was a lovely way to start my new year. I wish you enough energy and good health to do what you wish, and clarity of mind and spirit that you can avoid getting sucked into "shoulds" and "musts" and "have tos." xxoo
Ah Alyson! The memoir may come in chapters, right here, and fully out of any chronological sequence.... can that work? Thanks for the good wish. The fact is as it always has been: if I can avoid wishing for what I cannot have right now, I’ll be just fine. I do want to see your new place in 2023... sooner than later!
I just love you so very much. Thank you for sharing your journey and your insights. I have so many things spiraling in my brain about what you’ve endured and been able to see as valuable lessons. All I can say is thank you for the reminders about what life truly is for... being present and loving the small gifts that show up. I would love to see you more in 2023 (when you’re up for it) porch chats and tea perhaps. I will never mind a last minute cancellation as that is also my MO and comfort zone. The slow down has a way of making me panic as well, but when I stop and look at the true gifts of the unknown I can see how each day is Christmas. What a blessing to bring into 2023.
♥️♥️♥️
I love you too, Jamie! I appreciate you reading and taking the time to let me know how it lands! Let’s loosely plan a tea date... and then cancel it... and then plan it again! I want to see what you’re noodling with on one of these Christmas afternoons.
It’s a tentative date 🤣♥️♥️♥️
In palest pencil on the calendar!
thanks, Bryan, for your long attention span! This is a long one...lol.