Prompt: Everything’s OK. What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead?
This is a tough one to answer because there wasn’t a time when I didn’t think everything wasn’t going to be OK.
My Mom and I were on our own for a long time. There were struggles and challenges but through it all we were OK.
I think those early experiences in my life taught me resiliency and to not lose faith in the notion that come what may, I’ll get through it.
I feel like a broken record here but again, I am so blessed to have been surrounded by such a loving and supportive family and most of all to have such a strong Mother who got us through the tough bits with a positive attitude and great sense of humour.
Prompt: Photo – a present to yourself. Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words…
I like the photo on my home page.
Prompt: Soul food. What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul?
I’m in Ontario right now, in the city where I grew up. Yesterday my Mom took me to the Italian bakery we used to go to when I was little and we bought a box of canolis. I LOVE canolis but haven’t been able to find any as good as the ones I can get here. I didn’t realize how much I loved these treats until I couldn’t find them.
We bought a dozen yesterday and I’ve already had four. I don’t think the rest will be around much longer…
Prompt: Ordinary Joy. Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?
The last night Mark and I were in Newfoundland we spent it in St. John’s. We went to George Street and danced and drank at my cousins’ favourite bars.
Before we went out for the evening my Mom, Aunt Chris, Uncle John, Mark & I sat around Deanne’s kitchen island and started talking about what we should do with the land my Mom has – which is just down the street from my Grandma’s house, the house Mom and her siblings grew up in. Uncle John grabbed a piece of scrap paper and drew a map of the land.
We talked about ideas for it, they shared their memories of Sunday afternoon picnics there and all the wild blueberry bushes that used to grow on that land. We drew cottages and pathways and a dock and a pottery studio on Uncle John’s map. Then we went to George Street and danced the night away.
Uncle John’s map is stuck on my fridge, I see it every day and for a moment I remember that night and look forward to our future plans.