Dear Linda, I loved this so much. As a mother who lost her first born son in 2021, I embrace you and hold you close. That first year was debilitating, but as you so beautifully write...there were blessings as well. Although my eyes cried more tears than I could ever imagine, my eyes also opened wider and wiser than they ever had. I love the poem. I love that you are healing in both body and soul. Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and love reading all of your words. xo
You have had a tough year yet have emerged with golden thoughts, like the images in nature you describe. I too have had back pain. Injections don't work, and my doctors don't advise surgery. If it doesn't get worse, I will have to live with it as a "companion." Thanks for this reflection and for the e e cummings poem. Hugs!
Such deep quiet joy to soothe and heal the soul with the true meaning of the season. I'm glad your grief is healing as the darkness of your loss unexpectedly turns to light. Love & blessings!
How lovely this is, Linda Joy. I hear as I read it, almost as a song. I know the feeling of wanting to have a "real" tree. For years I didn't, but then one year something too deep to name, surfaced and I brought one home. May your lovely little tree with its beautiful angel bring you joy and more peace throughout the season. Thank you for the poem, too. with love.
Bless you, Linda Joy. May Theron's spirit and your little tree with its ornaments and the memories they evoke bring you joy through this anniversary-time and the holiday season. And thank you for sharing the ee cummings poem--such sweetness there. I am sending love your way.
Thanks for sharing your return to the Christmas tree and its lovely poem! It's beautiful and a reminder how trees express so much of life, always present. Happy Holidays to you with love. XO
Thank you for this, Linda Joy! And thank you for that beautiful poem. It's new to me, and I will treasure it forever. The year of firsts is incredibly difficult. You've been brave and open to the grief, processing it via travel, writing, and friends. That tree is beautiful, just like you! XO
Bless you Jude. I know that you have traveled this path, or are traveling it. Isn't that poem just the best? I got all nostalgic as I read quirky and deep poems I loved in the late 60s and beyond. I kept my hardback collection of complete works with me all the time. The pages are stained with remnants of food and drink in 1968. Thanks so much for your comment and more writing talk soon!
Dear Linda, I loved this so much. As a mother who lost her first born son in 2021, I embrace you and hold you close. That first year was debilitating, but as you so beautifully write...there were blessings as well. Although my eyes cried more tears than I could ever imagine, my eyes also opened wider and wiser than they ever had. I love the poem. I love that you are healing in both body and soul. Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and love reading all of your words. xo
Thanks so much Laura. I appreciate you!
Just beautiful! Many elements of self-care as stillness and light have brought you.
Beautiful essay and the poem is perfect.
Such a beautiful poem and post, Linda Joy. Wishing you peace this holiday season.
So lovely. I see and feel it all with you.
Yes, it is true: "I am still me."
You have had a tough year yet have emerged with golden thoughts, like the images in nature you describe. I too have had back pain. Injections don't work, and my doctors don't advise surgery. If it doesn't get worse, I will have to live with it as a "companion." Thanks for this reflection and for the e e cummings poem. Hugs!
Lovely—and I got to see it in person. Glad you're finding these moments to connect to spirit and to Theron. ❤️
Oh Linda Joy, so very touching. Sending you BIG hugs for healing ❤️🩹 your heart & soul. Blessings & Love 🙏💜☮️💟
beautiful Linda Joy. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Thank you Vicki!
Such deep quiet joy to soothe and heal the soul with the true meaning of the season. I'm glad your grief is healing as the darkness of your loss unexpectedly turns to light. Love & blessings!
How lovely this is, Linda Joy. I hear as I read it, almost as a song. I know the feeling of wanting to have a "real" tree. For years I didn't, but then one year something too deep to name, surfaced and I brought one home. May your lovely little tree with its beautiful angel bring you joy and more peace throughout the season. Thank you for the poem, too. with love.
Dear Judy--thank you. Yes, that's what happened to me too! This year getting a tree was simply what I needed to do. It spoke to me!
Bless you, Linda Joy. May Theron's spirit and your little tree with its ornaments and the memories they evoke bring you joy through this anniversary-time and the holiday season. And thank you for sharing the ee cummings poem--such sweetness there. I am sending love your way.
Thank you Susan. I hope your holiday is good too.
Thanks for sharing your return to the Christmas tree and its lovely poem! It's beautiful and a reminder how trees express so much of life, always present. Happy Holidays to you with love. XO
Thanks so much Kate! Yes, trees!
Beautiful Linda Joy. So much love to you.
Thanks Jordan. Looking forward to some fun times with your new book and events!!
Thank you for this, Linda Joy! And thank you for that beautiful poem. It's new to me, and I will treasure it forever. The year of firsts is incredibly difficult. You've been brave and open to the grief, processing it via travel, writing, and friends. That tree is beautiful, just like you! XO
Bless you Jude. I know that you have traveled this path, or are traveling it. Isn't that poem just the best? I got all nostalgic as I read quirky and deep poems I loved in the late 60s and beyond. I kept my hardback collection of complete works with me all the time. The pages are stained with remnants of food and drink in 1968. Thanks so much for your comment and more writing talk soon!
Thank you so much. Yes, there are realms around us. Glad you got to see my little tree!