From a distant shore



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"Sometimes being a brother is better than being a superhero"

Marc Brown



Australia's terrible disaster fill the latest news. There are many stories but none have touched my heart as the one about Jordan Rice, a young boy who asked rescuers to save his little brother first. Moments later he was swept away by the ravaging waters.

I've sat for a long while staring at this boy's photo. I am moved beyond tears. From a distant shore, this boy has sent a message. In one split second he reaffirmed the incredible beauty of love and it's trascendental power. His tragic, sad death has touched me deeply, and I am humbled by his lesson.

Jordan Rice, I never met you, but I will never forget you...

Endings and Beginnings

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Normalcy has returned.  A sense of peace and space permates the house, reminding me of the fresh smell in the air after a heavy rainfall.

January soothes me. The snow covered grounds make me seek shelter, not only under a comfy blanket, but rather into that part within, so easily forgotten when Summer arrives. Distractions are minimal now, as I go around fixing, cleaning, organizing, I am also meditating, breathing slower and deeper. I love the silence that befalls, the muffled sound of my footsteps, as well as that of Abby's as she follows me around.

These days I am bracing myself for what's about to come. My mother's condition is rapidly declining (she has been in a nursing home for the last 4 years suffering from advanced Alzheimer's Disease) The end is approaching and even though it would be a blessing to have her break free from those terrible chains, I am filled with more than the pain to loose a parent, I am also filled with longing and what-if's (for a bit more on this please click here)

It saddens me to realize (yet once again) that I will never know what it is to have had a loving, warm, relationship with my mother, and I feel cheated, though no longer angry. Maturity has brought along the wisdom to let go off things which can't be changed and to realize that endings bring new beginnings.

When the nights are done

And we see the sun

A new day dawns

With hope for some

When the fairies of spring

With warm breath breathe

The snow from the winters

Will leave their freeze

When the bellies of clouds

Can hold no more

They spread their rains

To wash earths shores

When the grub that lived

Leaves its cocoon

On the flight of wings

Will play till noon

When the days are done

And we lay us down

The stars will twinkle

In the moons playground

When the ends that come

Make it hard to see

There is something new

To set us free.

(Poem by Robyn Blauw)

May this New Year bring you sweet endings and great beginnings!

Happy New Year





My dear friends, a surprise and unexpected visit from my son (he lives in Europe) brought "IT."  My Christmas/Birthday was one of the loveliest I've ever had. I'd like to thank you for your words of hope and encouragement.  

May the New Year bring health, love, and peace. May all your days be filled with magic.

Looking back on the months gone by,

As a new year starts and an old one ends,

We contemplate what brought us joy,

And we think of our loved ones and our friends.

Recalling all the happy times,

Remembering how they enriched our lives,

We reflect upon who really counts,

As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when I ponder those who do,

I immediately think of you.

Thanks for being one of the reasons I'll have a Happy New Year!

(Poem by Joanna Fuchs)



P.S. Abby also wishes everyone a Happy New Year, unfortunately, she is too tired to say so personally (notice the hanging tongue :0)

Waiting for "IT"

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"Isn't funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for...I don't know what exactly... but it's something you don't mind so much not having at other times"   Kate L Bosher

Decorations are up, I finally finished the tree, plans for a small, intimate gathering are made, all presents are wrapped, Christmas music resound through the house, and yet... I can't quite feel "it"!

It saddens me to think I've lost my Christmas spirit, so for now I'll  hope it's just misplaced... 

One of those days

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It's one of those days...and I feel "peculiar"...

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So many fluttering, fragile thoughts...

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Dancing with "Fog" and "Smoke"...

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It's one of those days when ONLY red would do...

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I watch "Reality" play games with "Make-believe"...

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It's one of those days when I long to ride somewhere, "anywhere" aboard a train...

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The wind calls me...

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and I don't know what to wear...

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"Solitude" drops in and stays for a while...

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My soul is restless...I hold it in my hands...

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It's one of those days at the Purple Caravan...

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Lessons from my daughter

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I was quite surprised to see the response to my last post. I had no idea so many of you shared this feeling and I thank you for your candid honesty. I enjoyed learning about your special and unique ways to celebrate (or not) the holidays.

As a mother, I try my best to keep negative comments to myself. I don't want to influence my daughter this way. I'd much rather let her decide on her own how to lead her life and enjoy this time of the year. Luckily, my girl prefers small crowds and is quite happy to receive simple but meaningful gifts.

This morning I was still struggling with my "ramdon thoughts" when she came into the room with a big smile on her face and said: "Mom, this year we have another reason to give thanks: We have Abby!"

Afterwards she left for work, totally unaware of how, with just those few words she had lit the way and reminded me of all I should be grateful for! It never ceases to amaze me how much we can learn from our children if we just listen to what they have to say...

Cup of coffee in hand, I stood still, while Abby (looking quite concerned) waited patiently for me to "snap out of it" :0)

Another day, another lesson, another reason to give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving my dear friends, may your day be filled with joyful abundance!