I had to laugh at my valentine card from my husband…it describes the daily monotony of trying to figure out dinner, in our town of not so many great choices, amidst lives that are constantly busy. Today seemed like the perfect time to finish a thought that came to me a while ago, but had been simmering on low heat for a while…
Another full moon tonight…one would think it only happens on a rare occasion, I look forward to it with so much anticipation. But every month, like a trusted friend, it comes again. The nights leading up to it, I can’t sleep, or if I am able to fall asleep, I wake up as it passes by my window, crossing the night sky and nudging me as it begins to set. The winter moons, especially, seem to line up just so with my bedroom window. Tonight is the Snow Moon. Sharing the billing this year is a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, as well as Comet 45P, both highly touted celestial events. I watched the moon as I drove home from a late night at work, and realized later that I had seen the eclipse, without knowing I was seeing it, because I had misread the time. It was beautiful and moody in a dark hue, and we gazed back at each other the whole drive home…
Drawing by Janine Carnihan*
Some goals: To connect more deeply with others. To communicate authentic messages. To reveal enough of yourself to be truly seen. To be open enough yourself to let others feel truly seen and heard by you. To create a circle around you of genuine, caring humans, and to be a part of that circle for others…
One of my favorite things to do is to spend time with a small child while they explore. It has been a while, since my boys are 15 and 22. I had the pleasure of spending a day last summer with my great-nephew, a non-stop bundle of joy, energy and independence. He was then not quite two years old, and his verbal repertoire included about 50 words and many high-pitched squeals. He is a good walker, but still subject to toppling over on a small stair, steep hill, or stiff breeze. I have always been fascinated with watching how children learn, when left to their own devices and not steered or coached. I love to walk behind while they toddle about, and enjoy letting them make their own path, offering an occasional finger to hold when needed for a step up, and a pick-up and redirection if they are headed for a thorny bush or the edge of a pond. I enjoy letting them stop to investigate whatever little thing catches their eye, and spend as much time as they want watching bugs, inspecting a stick, and circling the yard for the umpteenth time…