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Saturday, September 10, 2016

Celebrating Everyday Joy


  Celebrating with Ruth Ayres at Discover Play Build.  and linking with others who share their celebrations, too. I am grateful to Ruth for helping us celebrate together!  


        A busy week with the grand-girls, walking and loving 'slightly' cooler weather, finding beauty everywhere, bookstore last Saturday subbing and regular Thursday. It all fills me up day to day. I feel my life is really a good one. Then on Tuesday I had terrible news, the tragic loss of a young family member. I'm respecting their privacy, am heartbroken for the family. And I want to say love each day, be kind and continue to celebrate the moments of your lives. 
        I am excited to be traveling Sunday to a poetry workshop at the Highlights Foundation with leaders Georgia Heard and Rebecca Kai Doltich, plus others you may know from teacher conferences and blogging. It is my third time there, and I nearly didn't try to go. Suddenly, way back when, I decided to see if there was a spot left, and there was. I will take joy from this all the rest of the year. Take joy when you can!

      Pictured here are books and bees, a granddaughter's hide 'n seek, one's guitar lesson, and a katydid upon my kitchen window! 





a transformer nearby, on the way to my parked car



23 comments:

  1. It takes a sorrow to make us remember to savor the life we have and the people in it. So sorry, Linda.
    What a treat to head to the poetry workshop! Can't wait to see photos and read your thinking of this time. Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks, Elsie, it has been a troubling week, and one that made me find all the blessings I could. I am excited about the workshop. You can be sure I will share!

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  2. Linda, It is always a pleasure to read your post. It is always filled with beauty and thankfulness. I am writing on Mondays at 52 Weeks of Thankfulness blog to hopefully gather so many good souls that we can change the negativity in the world. I would invite you to link your post to mine on Monday.

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    1. I will try to post on Mondays with you, Bernadette. I see your link each week on TWT. It's just that I also review books on Mondays. I'll see if I can do double! Thank you for the kind invitation!

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  3. Linda, I am so sorry for your loss. Unexpected loss carries a different kind of grief, I think. Saying a prayer for you. I am so happy that you're going to Highlights for a poetry workshop! That's exciting! I can't wait to hear all about it! I wish I was going. I'm going to a weekend poetry retreat in PA later this month. It incorporates mindfulness into the practice of poetry. I can't wait!

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    1. Wow, your retreat sounds awesome, too, Michelle. I know you loved the Highlights time a lot. Thanks for the kind words!

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  4. Oh, I'm so sorry Linda. So shocking. Not the way we expect life to go. Your wise words are a worthy mantra: "Take joy when you can."

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    1. Thanks, Julieanne, it was a shock, and won't soon go away. I do just hold onto the good things, and wishing some didn't happen.

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  5. I think sad news has a way of revealing our own gratitudes...we take so much for granted in this world until we hear sad news. Love the photos of those grand grands - and so looking forward to hear about your retreat. Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks, Tara. I am sad for my family, but it does make me notice the good things around me, too.

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  6. Sudden loss is shocking and even more so when it is the young. Blessings and prayers for you and family members. Love each day, be kind, such important advice to all of us. I love seeing Good Dog Carl and Frog and Toad on the shelves at the bookstore. As usual, your pics inspire and make me smile.

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    1. Thank you, Ramona. Despite the good things, it was a hard week mostly worrying about the family. I do take each day as a blessing!

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  7. I am so sorry to hear the sad news from your family. These heartbreaks are so tragic. Your advice to love each day and find the celebrations is important. Your celebrations and images show us that even amidst the sadness, there is still joy. As always, pictures of your grandkids always make me smile.

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    1. Thanks, Julie. I do think it's important to find those good things every single day. This day "before" the 9/11 anniversary is a good reminder, too.

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  8. I'm sorry to hear your family has such sadness but could read you understand how important it is to find joy amongst the sadness. May the joy continue to help guide your days ahead.

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    1. Thanks, Mandy. I know it will. I appreciate your thoughtful wish.

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  9. Have a wonderful trip to the Highlights Foundation, Linda! I can only imagine the fun and inspiration you will find there. Safe travels!

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    1. Thank you Jennifer. Long day traveling, but the time with the group was wonderful. Now to sleep!

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  10. Sorry for the terrible loss. May the beautiful moments continue as well.

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  11. Linda, life is fragile and uncertain so savoring each day and celebrating joy is essential. I am sorry for the sudden loss you spoke of. I am excited for you and Catherine F. who will be with Georgia. Please give her my best. I did so want to attend but we are off for Las Vegas on Saturday to celebrate my son's birthday.

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    1. It's been a great time so far, Carol. Hope you're having fun too!

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  12. I love the picture of your granddaughter peering out from that wall! So sorry for the heartbreak in the midst of your joy, but glad you do have that joy!

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