I think of each year as
a large wicker basket,
woven with strands of love,
given to me
to fill with
intangible gifts.
I think of each month,
as a a garden–
one I walk through
swinging my basket by my side and
stopping in each month to fill
it with moments and experiences
like they were flowers.
This past year,
In the months of January, March, and July,
I became a mother of three teens — eighteen, fifteen, thirteen.
I made favorite dishes
for each of their birthdays
and celebrated Zuri, Zahara and Markolee, adding a year to their lives.
In February, we practiced letting go
As Zuri flew solo
to visit her cousins and aunt in New Jersey.
Upon her return,
I exhaled when I saw her smiling face at the airport.
In April hubby and I turned 41!!!
We sat under sunset skies,
overlooking the waters of Mobile Bay
ate a pork belly taco I can’t forget
and drank a Mint Julep made just right.
In May, we welcomed old friends
into our home!
We set an extra pot of espresso on the stove
and showed them our favorite places.
We flew to Jamaica a few days later
drove through eight of the fourteen parishes
visited our family, ate mangoes
rented a little blue cottage in Negril
and waded through turquoise waters in Ocho Rios.
In June,
We rented an RV and drove through several states
We enjoyed family in Missouri
Watched the sun rise on the Mississippi river
And strolled through a RV Park that blew my mind in Kentucky.
In August, I was reminded, that I won’t always fill my basket with flowery moments
and there’s no hedge protecting us from heartbreak.
We drove Zuri to the airport
waved goodbye as she left home for four months.
Markolee and I held hands and cried on our way home.
In October, we drove to Panama City Beach
and soaked up the sun and sand in Florida
In November, hubby and I flew to Spain
visited with our adult daughter
and celebrated our seventeenth wedding anniversary.
In December, we flew to New York,
listened to the sweet sounds of my niece and nephew’s voices
Laughed, dined, and danced with new and old girlfriends
and celebrated a major milestone with my sister.
As you reflect on the past year —
may you think of it as a basket that you too have filled with
celebrations and experiences that entertained and enlightened you,
pleasures and new places that made your heart swell with the sense of discovery,
moments that made you decide to fully show up in this one life of yours and
embrace its hardness and ephemeral joys.
I LOVE CONNECTING WITH YOU
What moments and experiences did you put in your “basket” last year?
ON WRITING
I submitted an article to a magazine in the UK, and I am thrilled to share it with you when its published:-)
Also, I am working on a nonfiction book proposal. This week, I hope to complete the first part of it which is the OVERVIEW. It’s interesting how I can write a 50,000+ word manuscript, but when it comes to condensing it into a few pages, I’m flustered. Send POSITIVE VIBES my way.
WHAT I’M READING
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris is the book I’m reading. If you are a writer trying to get published the traditional way, this novel is giving a glimpse into the publishing world. I’m really soaking it up so far.
I would really like to know. What are you reading?
POEM OF THE WEEK
This week’s poem is written by a dear friend of mine, Josh Davis.
Send me the poems that inspires, anchors, and encourages you. I would love to add voice to those words in the weeks to come.
ART BY ONTONIO
THANK YOU
I’m super thankful for all your support, encouraging comments, your expressions of gratitude, and your financial contributions.
PLEASE SUPPORT ME BY:
Until Next Time, Enjoy Your Next Breath
Kadine Christie
