Day 17,268 Gratitude: Lomo Ode

I wish I could remember exactly when my Lomo came into my life.  It was back in the days of Jul of the Day, so safe to say somewhere around a decade ago.  One of the bloggers I followed back then was Dawn Mikulich.  Her photos taken around Chicagoland were stunning.  She inspired me to take the Lomo leap myself, despite my insecurities.  She very kindly coaxed me through the initial learning curve and I will be ever appreciative for her generous encouragement and support.  It wasn't long before the Lomo was my primary camera on travels near and far.  It taught me to move through this world with an eye toward stories for which there are not words.  It never failed to reward me with magic.

Seems like once I found myself with a Smartphone, I also found myself disinterested in carrying a camera.  Especially one that needed film.  Sad, maybe, but the times and I have changed.  So it was time for my dear Lomo to go to someone who can give it the love it still deserves.  That friend is Beth.  I can't wait to see what they capture together. 

For knowing where and how to make room, both literally and figuratively, as I learn and grow artistically, I am so very grateful. 

Day 17,266 Gratitude: Driven

Time again to make that drive again.  Eastbound 32.  It's somewhere between dull and dismal, even in the best and brightest of circumstances.  In mid-January, it will break your heart.  Deep down, I know that she is glad to get back to school.  And, for her dad and me, we know that our nest isn't really empty.  It's good for us to get to periodically miss what and who we love.  It simultaneously makes our hearts stronger and more tender.  We learn to treasure those precious times together and value the blessed means through which we can stay connected when apart.  For all that I discover and remember on this five-hour round-trip drive, I am so deeply grateful.

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Day 17,265 Gratitude

The thing I discovered quite soon

was that the hours took care of each other,

and if one lived wholly and well at present

the future could truly be left to itself.

--Mabel Dodge Luhan, "Edge of Taos Desert"

Day 17,260 Gratitude: Good Mail

I'm an old-fashioned girl and good old-fashioned snail mail will always be the quickest way to win my heart.  Today I received Kim Taylor's new "Love's a Dog" CD which I happily helped to back via the awesomeness that is Kickstarter.  There is a lot to be said for seizing opportunities to help others bring their dream projects to life.  And there is even more to be said for getting good mail in return. 

I am not burdening myself with resolutions this year.  Nor am I particularly inclined to cook up specific goals or plans.  When I say it that way, it sounds more sad than liberating.  But I really (and quite simply) just want to be the best me that I can be right now ... which is all about willingness.  GENTLE willingness.  To show up.  To put out.  And then do it again.

But good mail, yes, I think I can manage to send more of it this year, to put more gratitude and glad tidings out into the world ... one mailbox at a time.

Day 17,259 Gratitude: Epiphany

Today, on Epiphany, I am so grateful ...

For the fruitfulness of gathering with dear friends for the nourishment of rich conversation, delicious food, and the magic that manifests when playful and creative hearts come together.

For the gift of a CD that feeds within me a mysterious hunger for sacred music of the Renaissance persuasion.  Nestled within the strands of my DNA is the imprinting of an ancient past that makes this music feel like home.

For getting to know "gentle" and how we will play together this year.  The word is working on me ... worming its way into me.  I feel it surface like a wave when I start to pick on myself for the gaps ... for the ways that I appear to be dropping the ball.  Gentle.  I have much to learn.

Day 17,254: Gentle

I wasn't going to choose a word for 2013.  And, in fact, I didn't.  A word chose me.  It landed softly in my lap this morning and it would not budge.  Gentle. 

I look forward to discovering all of the ways that gentle-ness wants to have its way with me and wants me to have my way with the world.

What word are you working with this year?  Or what word is working with you?