I can so relate to your writing, Karen, & I am often uneasy about the future for various reasons. This morning, I was on a business call with a banker, & she reminded me that my husband is still with me as her parents are with her. That is so very true & how I've successfully survived the past 2 1/2 years!! Sometimes we need a reminder of that!
All your photos are incredible, & I so admire your photography talent!
This is beautiful. I have had similar thoughts streaming through my mind as the birds and sunshine are starting to return. I love the feel to this piece.
Wonderful reflections Karen. I caught a very similar image of the Moon, Jupiter and Venus from my balcony here in London on Feb 24. It was quite a remarkable and unusual celestial alignment. Hope it means good things for 2023. Sending you blessings 🙏
This: "I feel myself being asked to trust in the fuzzy gray of guidance rather than the black-and-white of knowledge and rules." Beautiful!
Love the pics, what gorgeous nature and varied wildlife you have in your vicinity. And the post itself - a gentle, poetic contemplation on liminal spaces; on waiting, anticipating, and ultimately accepting.
Love red wing blackbirds 👍❤️ glad you are having some warm weather and more signs of spring 👍👏❤️. We are expecting cookk my Ed and wet weather next week too☔️
Beautiful essay. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of the importance of rest.
" I hope there are at least pauses along the way for rest." We must remember that there are always ample places for rest along the way, but it's up to us to pause and take advantage of that reality. 💜
I needed this ~it’s been a hard two weeks with new health concerns and living in california ~ and all the rain hasn’t help my psyche~ it’s been a real challenge to keep my spirits up~ but I am really trying~ the birds are back singing their sweet songs~ thanks Karen
I agree with you that spring is an edgy time. I think that is what makes the Lenten journey to Easter so potent — wrestling with all the hopes, fears, and contradictions of new life emerging out of death, both spiritually and in nature. Powerful stuff to deal with!
I've been thinking a lot about Lent and the crucifixion, holding the uncomfortable space and allowing new life to emerge. I almost wrote directly about it but that part got taken out - probably good because my analogies might have struck folks as wrong or "not Christian". Thanks Lauren.
Hi Karen. I love how you talk about the uncomfortable place between what has been and what is unfolding. I seem to be spending my life in that place. What has gone before has gone. And what is next does not feel even partially revealed. Take care x
I realised as I wrote that comment that what is unfolding is "now" or "today". I keep waiting for some mystical future, where hopefully I will be more well. But then I am missing the current moment. What is unfolding is today and I want to be better at embracing this present.
I hope your spring starts soon… the in between time is truly a challenge. I feel very blessed living farther south this time of year as our spring has already started….even though March came in with a big roar of a scary storm!! The redbud trees are in bloom… the Bradford pear trees blooming… hyacinth and jonquil have bloomed❤️😍🥰. It is just around the corner for your area👍👍❤️❤️
Well this morning I saw red-winged blackbirds so it is coming - but it is about to get cold again. At the moment it's 72 and I have all the windows open because it got so HOT in here! :) I love redbuds. Those pear trees are stinky but the rest are nice!! :)
This is truly such a difficult time of year for many of us. It snowed again yesterday, uncommon in this area and somewhat unwelcome when I'm searching for signs of spring. It's comforting to hear others express that familiar pause as we teeter at the threshold of spring.
Thank you Robin. I saw some meme that talked about the seasons being "winter, fool's spring, second winter, spring of deception, third winter, mud season, actual spring" and it at least made me laugh! It's definitely true the seasons don't unfold neatly, at least they don't in Missouri!
I can so relate to your writing, Karen, & I am often uneasy about the future for various reasons. This morning, I was on a business call with a banker, & she reminded me that my husband is still with me as her parents are with her. That is so very true & how I've successfully survived the past 2 1/2 years!! Sometimes we need a reminder of that!
All your photos are incredible, & I so admire your photography talent!
Thank you for this beautiful essay.
Cheryl
This is beautiful. I have had similar thoughts streaming through my mind as the birds and sunshine are starting to return. I love the feel to this piece.
Wonderful reflections Karen. I caught a very similar image of the Moon, Jupiter and Venus from my balcony here in London on Feb 24. It was quite a remarkable and unusual celestial alignment. Hope it means good things for 2023. Sending you blessings 🙏
Wonderful piece! A good reminder that life can be a bit like sailing…the journey is the destination…
This: "I feel myself being asked to trust in the fuzzy gray of guidance rather than the black-and-white of knowledge and rules." Beautiful!
Love the pics, what gorgeous nature and varied wildlife you have in your vicinity. And the post itself - a gentle, poetic contemplation on liminal spaces; on waiting, anticipating, and ultimately accepting.
Thank you Kaisa!
Congratulations on reaching 1,000 subscribers -- well earned, with your lovely, heartfelt posts!
Thank you Jeanne!
Love red wing blackbirds 👍❤️ glad you are having some warm weather and more signs of spring 👍👏❤️. We are expecting cookk my Ed and wet weather next week too☔️
Beautiful essay. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of the importance of rest.
" I hope there are at least pauses along the way for rest." We must remember that there are always ample places for rest along the way, but it's up to us to pause and take advantage of that reality. 💜
Love this, thanks Sue.
Beautiful. Thank you, as always.
Thank you Saejung Lee.
I needed this ~it’s been a hard two weeks with new health concerns and living in california ~ and all the rain hasn’t help my psyche~ it’s been a real challenge to keep my spirits up~ but I am really trying~ the birds are back singing their sweet songs~ thanks Karen
Sending lots of love Catherine.
I agree with you that spring is an edgy time. I think that is what makes the Lenten journey to Easter so potent — wrestling with all the hopes, fears, and contradictions of new life emerging out of death, both spiritually and in nature. Powerful stuff to deal with!
I've been thinking a lot about Lent and the crucifixion, holding the uncomfortable space and allowing new life to emerge. I almost wrote directly about it but that part got taken out - probably good because my analogies might have struck folks as wrong or "not Christian". Thanks Lauren.
Hi Karen. I love how you talk about the uncomfortable place between what has been and what is unfolding. I seem to be spending my life in that place. What has gone before has gone. And what is next does not feel even partially revealed. Take care x
Ugh, me too Cali. And likely it never is but some of it is more uncomfortable than others! Lots of love to you.
I realised as I wrote that comment that what is unfolding is "now" or "today". I keep waiting for some mystical future, where hopefully I will be more well. But then I am missing the current moment. What is unfolding is today and I want to be better at embracing this present.
I hope your spring starts soon… the in between time is truly a challenge. I feel very blessed living farther south this time of year as our spring has already started….even though March came in with a big roar of a scary storm!! The redbud trees are in bloom… the Bradford pear trees blooming… hyacinth and jonquil have bloomed❤️😍🥰. It is just around the corner for your area👍👍❤️❤️
Well this morning I saw red-winged blackbirds so it is coming - but it is about to get cold again. At the moment it's 72 and I have all the windows open because it got so HOT in here! :) I love redbuds. Those pear trees are stinky but the rest are nice!! :)
Oh and all the birds singing too!!❤️😍
Aaahh yes, the Void, the Unknown. The Space In-between. Beautiful article! Thank you.
thank you Patricia
This is truly such a difficult time of year for many of us. It snowed again yesterday, uncommon in this area and somewhat unwelcome when I'm searching for signs of spring. It's comforting to hear others express that familiar pause as we teeter at the threshold of spring.
Thank you Robin. I saw some meme that talked about the seasons being "winter, fool's spring, second winter, spring of deception, third winter, mud season, actual spring" and it at least made me laugh! It's definitely true the seasons don't unfold neatly, at least they don't in Missouri!
That's priceless!
Beautiful and much appreciated.
Thank you KW!
Thank YOU!