Just did this exercise. Noticed that my mind became still for those moments….
It is still early morning. I see the sun shining through the yellow leaves of the magnolia tree outside my window. They are dropping slowly, a few at a time, like a slow rain, after the frost we had last night. Very gentle.

And now I remember the lovely online memorial we had for Meredith last night, where all present had the chance to share a memory of her. It was gentle, humorous and loving sharing. Like these leaves falling. Usually the fall makes me feel sad and melancholy. But it feels hopeful somehow too, just now. And beautiful in their falling and passing.

Rich in a wealth of interesting and unusual life experiences.
Being exposed to an abundance of cultures: having lived on 3 continents by the time I was 12. And continuing to work with children from a wealth of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Being healthy and active for which I am grateful..
Living in the city with so many opportunities to enjoy art, music, performance s, while also being able to access the beauty of tbe natural world: the White Mountains, the ocean.
Just some of my riches. And so many more…

At a very current and day to day level right now: “distances between myself and others are decreasing “ as I ask for and communicate what I need and want.

An example at work, I am eager to collaborate with the classroom teachers in teaching our ESL students.

At my living place, it is speaking my truth as I feel and see it. Being honest especially around the dysfunction in our group living situation.
However, being gentle and sweet is not something I have mastered!l

PIne needle smell. It’s invigorating and very refreshing, if not provoking “gratefulness.” But happiness and delight.
A week or so ago: swimming in a lake in New Hampshire, emerging from the water, and breathing in the scent of warm pine needles on the bank…lovely! Or when hiking through a pine / conifer tree area, and the scent of pine needles is wafting up from the forest floor, or carried on the breeze.

And going into a plant nursery before the Christmas holidays, surrounded by the fresh, pungent smell of fir. Ahh! Delicious!

Sharing something I love with another person. Example: looking at my amazing photos of my summer Alaska trip with my housemate.

Danny and I cooking a meal of dal together for our delightful young neighbors and their 2 small children.

Hearing and seeing the whales blowing and sounding all around me in the middle of the sound.

Having a real, heart to heart conversation face-to-face with someone, and then being able to laugh together, whether the conversation was easy or difficult

This past week with dear friends has filled me up with kind experiences. I just am waking up at my friend’s house. She has made me a welcome cup of coffee. She and her husband know I love to take walks in nature, so that is what we have been doing: walking in the neighborhood, walking along the Raritan River, delighting in seeing snapping turtles, barn swallows and wild ducks.

Yesterday we took a long walk around Cedar Lake, A man came outside of his house, greeted us, and asked us whether he could drive us to where we had parked our car, so that we wouldn’t get wet.

Right now I am deeply grateful. For the past 3 days I have been visiting and staying with my friends here their simple little house in the woods. Showing my appreciation for their warmth and welcome is a delight. How? By laughing and sharing conversations together. By cooking with them and doing the meal dishes; by bringing them plants for their garden—fennel, lavender, sage to be specific. They love creating their little garden, and spend much of their days puttering in it. It was fun to buy them some herbs that they didn’t have.

Like getting married? That is the thought that popped up for me. Hopefully “stepping into the unknown with a grateful heart.” But I have not been married, so can’t answer that one!

Much of what I have faced in life, has been stepping into the unknown, grateful heart or not.

I am planning a trip to visit a friend in Alaska in August, to sail with him for two weeks. That is stepping into the unknown for me, with a grateful heart, and also some trepidation. The grateful part is his offer for me to partake in this sailing adventure in a wild, beautiful part of the world. It seems like a not-to-miss-opportunity.