~a new year~

  ~an old white oak, Earlysville, Virginia~

~~~~~

I took this image in December of 2007, in the early morning, when I was leaving Virginia after the holidays.  This morning I find myself relieved to have this year behind me, and grateful for a new year, much like the sky in the image above, stretching out in front of me.  While the air is filled with chaos in the world we live in, there is - for the first time in a long while - a sense of hope swirling amidst the chaos.  Last July I wrote a post that now makes me laugh - the audacity of not hoping - and while it was a bit tongue-in-cheek, it was also where I was personally:  in the middle of a year filled with grief.  I've learned that much of grief is fighting acceptance - and I sense that acceptance has settled into my psyche.  It is a relief to accept that my Mother is gone - because it frees me to appreciate her life and everything she did for me. 

Last night I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with friends - at a new greek place in town, Samos Taverna, and everyone was happy to be moving forward, as they reflected on similar and equally difficult losses.  The first of January is a day that holds a special place for us:  it's the birthday of a close friend, a close friend who passed away on her birthday five years ago.  We were with her through a challenging year, as she battled a glioblastoma in her brain, a year where a vivacious and compassionate woman taught us all alot about living well and dying without complaint.  On this day I always get an urge to either jump into the chilly Atlantic or drink a martini (with extra olives) -- all in Marcia's honor.

So, here's to a happy New Year.  May hope turn into positive action, may all hungry and homeless children, dogs, and cats find good homes, may people learn to value biodiversity (including each other) and may we stop fighting one another.  May the Chinese designate 2009 as the Year of the Laboratory, and may science continue to show us how truly fascinating a place the world is - and may we all learn to give it the care and respect it deserves.       

Comments

[Kate]

I could not have said it better myself!

I think I WILL have a martini today. Marcia would have wanted it. I still cannot believe she is gone. I am so glad I have one of her paintings...I look at it and think of her every day.

[Layanee]

A lovely post, Pam. I am practicing gratitude this year. I love your sentiment to value biodiversity especially in each other. Wouldn't the world be a gray place if all were the same.

[Katharine]

Wow, what a beautiful picture and what a beautiful post!

[Pat]

Happy New Year, Pam! Something tells me 2009 is going to be really special.

[joan]

Happy New Year, Pam! Love the photo. I've been hearing good things about Samos. Need to try it.

[Pam]

Kate, New Years Day will always be a 'Marcia' day, regardless of what any of us do. I miss her.

Layanee, I'm with you. Valuing biodiversity would solve alot of the world's problems!

Thank you Katharine, and Happy New Year to you!

Pat, I'm personally relieved that it is a new year - last year was definitely a tough one, and it's time for some good things to happen. I guess we all take turns, but here's to 2009 being special!

Joan, Samos Taverna was just yummy. The appetizers are great - so an appetizer or two is plenty for dinner (they have a wonderful tomato sauce that they use with several dishes - and then there's that great yogurt-cucumber-dill dip for eggplant...it's all good).