The Final Journey of 2015

In a few short days,

I'll be looking up at a whole new set of stars.

Piecing together constellations in the southern hemisphere,

staring at the sky from a different corner of the world, 

in awe.

A full moon. 

On Christmas. 

I can think of few better ways 

to celebrate the end of the year,

and the beginning of a new one.

I'll be splashing around on the shores of Australia, 

awaiting news from home on the arrival 

of my niece or nephew.

And with that,

It will have been a year

 that feels complete.

There were moments so joyful,

I wanted to call in the trumpeters 

and pound on a snare drum

and dance until the tread on my shoes wore thin! 

And yes, there were times during which 

the noises of day were replaced

with a sterile silence.

Sometimes, that's just the way a day goes. 

And you know. That's okay. 

I learned that in order to welcome in the new:

new love, new friends, 

new growth, new appreciations;

you have to make space by 

emptying out the stuff that doesn't 

fill you up anymore.

After all, what good is a heart that has

 reached maximum capacity, 

if the existing thoughts and feelings 

inhabiting it are stale?

There's just no time for that.

Make the space for a full heart. 

xo

Winter Solstice Wishes

Today, the sun dips to it's lowest point in the sky,

giving us a delayed dawn and an early sunset.

Happy Winter Solstice. 

From here on out, every day moving forward will be a bit brighter. 

In a few short days, I'll have my feet in the sand 

and my face towards the sun.

Christmas spent by the Caribbean Sea.

I. Can't. Wait.

I'm appreciative of the growth and 

self awareness the past 12 months brought,

but am very much forward facing to the New Year. 

As I consider this past year,

I was encouraged and inspired by most.

Loved and supported by many.
Disappointed by few.

I'm content with that breakdown. 

I don't typically count blessings.

I am more of a 'thank my lucky stars' type of gal. 

So ultimately, I send 2014 off with a kiss and a fond goodbye.

And as we usher in 2015, 

I will look up towards a sky full of big, bright, beautiful stars. 

I wish the very same for each and all of you. 

xo

A Year. In Review.

It will be a quiet close to a relatively quiet year.
Some years are packed with adventures, some are a bit more calm.
2013 was on the calmer side of the spectrum. 

Sure, there are some things I would've done differently. 

The usual things, mostly.

I meant to read more books,
and spend less time in front of the computer.

I didn't ride my bike as much as I daydreamed about, 

or keep as many appointments at the gym that I intended too. 

I continued to throw out dishes that I didn't feel like washing when they piled up. 

Probably should have flossed more regularly also.
The good news is, those are all habits that can be remedied
once I throw them on the ol' resolutions list.
 And for the instances that I had less control over,
the unexpected loss of a job,
the unimaginable compromise of a friend's safety,

the hanging around,waiting too long for someone to realize how amazing I thought they were... 

to realize, how amazing they think I am...

Those situations made my heart ache.

But then,
there were the moments that caused it to swell.
I swam in a lot of rivers,
and I hiked a whole bunch of mountains.
I hugged the biggest redwood tree I ever saw,
counted endless shooting stars as they streaked the night sky.
I got a new job, representing a company that I love.
I danced to some really good music.
I made some new friends, and I tried some new foods.
I saw my first bald eagle circle above me on a crisp fall day.
 I watched my hard work unfold as an entire city and all of it's citizens
came together for the ultimate act of kindness,
in helping a little boy's wish come true.
And so it is.
I'll plot more adventures for 2014,
but I chalk this year up to being 'pretty darn good.'
Happy Christmas.
Happy year end, friends.
xo

The Great Christmas Tree Hunt

This was a weekend of highs and lows.

Sometimes that happens, I'm old enough to know.

I'm lucky enough that the good outshined the not so good- by a landslide.

I pulled a cable car for a cause,

and felt the spirit of the city pulsing through my veins with each tug on the rope. 

I picnicked with friends in Golden Gate Park,

and let the December sunshine warm my back.

Sunday brought the grandest adventure of all.

We fled the city and embarked on the great Christmas Tree Hunt.

Tree strapped to the roof of the car, 

we left the farm and journeyed to the grand finale of the day,

 wine tasting high in the rolling hills of the 'burbs. 

When I spoke with my dad to recap the weekend,

he challenged me to just relay the 'highs.' 

And when I see them here on the screen, 

I appreciate the exercise he had me do.

The weekend ended with a lighter heart,

and that makes all the difference.

xo