12.17.2010
12.13.2010
12.10.2010
December Daily - Day 9
Today was a good day, but a busy day!
One thing I love about Charlotte is that it has such a great Twitter community. A lot of the people I have met in my (almost) two years here have been through social media. Once a month we have Tweetups where we meet face-to-face to chat, last night was our annual Toys for Tots event. Great to see all the toys brought in and to share the holiday season with friends. I also picked up my race packet and was happily surprised to see that my bib has my name printed on it, very cool.
12.09.2010
December Daily Days 6-8
Again I have to say that this project is SUCH a good experience for me in letting go of perfection. Another thing I love is that it is really allowing the space for me to process my days and to note what truly mattered, rather than focus on all the nonsense and the gremlins that can show up in my head. And most of the time, it's those simple sweet moments that I might otherwise overlook that I am holding on to and noting here.
The other thing that is really helping me is that all of my pages are not about the holidays, just ordinary moments too. This Saturday I am running a half marathon that I have trained and prepared for over the last couple of months and that has my focus right now. And I am letting that take the show for my daily pages for now.
Bless the imperfections, they matter.
12.06.2010
December Daily Day 5
I had a lovely Sunday, coffee with my dear friend Gail. She never fails to make me laugh those big belly laughs. I am obsessed with salted caramel hot chocolates from Starbucks. I must restrain from getting one everyday!
On my way home from late afternoon errands, I turned onto my street to find several deer eating and playing. There were 7-8 of them, 2 of which were just little ones running around and playing. I must have sat there for 10 minutes just watching them. Deer are a symbol of gentleness in the Native American world, so lovely.
December Daily Project
Hello there:
So this year I am participating in Ali Edward's December Daily project. I am documenting 25 days in December. I am loving the structure of daily documenting, which is somehow allowing me to let go of that idea of perfection. The pages are not perfectly aligned, I still haven't got my layouts figured out, etc. Images are blurred, but it isn't about the images - it's about the moments! Above are my first few days. Having fun getting my Christmas on!
You can view other December Daily's here.
12.05.2010
Robert A. Jones, 1943-2010
My amazing, brave, sweet dad lost his battle with cancer on Thursday, September 18, 2010.I had a scheduled flight up there on the 17th and I knew that he was declining, but did not realize it was happening at such a rapid pace. He had been admitted to Hospice Care in the last few weeks, we had expected him to be there for many months.
When I arrived, he wasn't able to be coherent in his speech, but I felt that he knew I was there and that he could hear us and feel our touch. Before we left on Wednesday night, he was able to say I love you back to me (in his own way).
On Thursday morning, the nurse called to say that he was not responsive and his breathing was quite labored. We spent the day at his side, holding his hands, massaging his feet and when we had a moment alone I whispered to him that it was ok for him to let go whenever he was ready. That he had been so brave and strong, that it was ok for him to rest. After briefly stepping away to share a meal with friends, it seemed that the end was close and within minutes I saw him take his last breath. I am SO grateful I could be there with him. The care and love that we received from the Hospice care staff was unforgettable, they cried right along with us and I was fortunate that two people that I went to high school with in addition to another family friend are on staff there. As awful as it was to lose him, we couldn't have had a more gentle experience.
I cannot say enough about small rural farm towns. My parents have lived in Russell, MN for the past 10 years and the support we received from the community was amazing. An experience like no other, and I of course am so appreciative of my friends who have been in this with me from the beginning and along the way.
It has been almost two months, but it feels like just yesterday. I have been in the grief, really in it. I am finding the holiday season to be both sad and joyful. Lights, trees, candles and fires in the fireplace are all so comforting and yet it isn't the same without my dad here.
May your days be merry and bright this season and all seasons*
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