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Saturday, December 30, 2017

Things I Learned in 2017...

On my random trip down memory lane in 2017, I learned...

*The walk to and from 1st and 2nd grade recess often results in the best of little ones' comments and conversations and hand holding.  It is a deliciously mixed meditation.

*I aspire to the creativity I see in Instagram stories. Oh heck, I aspire to all creativity.

*Felting is fun.

*A baby's entrance into a room makes everyone's vocal range go up an octave. 

*Seeing my daughters experience possibility spurs me on to do the same. It's harder than it looks.

*America's underbelly holds the keys for now; America's saner self has the power to change that.

*A 9-person writer's workshop is some pretty sacred space that I thought I had no business entering.  I was wrong.

*In the last 24 hours, Sonos, Alexa, and Spotify came into my life. Yes, I am late to the party. 

*People named Alexa must need a name change in order to sanely live in a home with Alexa voice service.

*Wedding officiating is a gift to the officiant.

*In this year of musical legends passing on, seeing John Prine and Roger Waters perform at Newport Folk Festival filled up my heart and tear ducts.

* Women are lit up. We must stay lit!

*A total solar eclipse is a HUGE event that takes us way beyond ourselves and, somewhere in all of it, our star souls are revealed.  

*Being able to see and hear family in South Africa and Hawaii while sitting in Pennsylvania is the finest Christmas gift.

*The Force continues to be strong with Star Wars. 

*This quote from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society set me back on my heels b/c it takes a platitude and turns it into a harder truth: "Life goes on.  "What nonsense, I thought, of course it doesn't.  It's death that goes on."

*And speaking of platitudes, while I understand the kind intention within offering "thoughts and prayers," we must become better at saying what we really feel behind those words instead of slipping into safe phrases.  We owe the grief stricken at least that.

*Dule Hill is first a song and dance guy! Who knew?!?!

*Parents and children who are in pain have much to teach me.

*No matter who we've become, childhood friends know our unfiltered selves.  

*Music is a powerful connector  (I know, I say some version of this every year) so I will end with this video of folks inspired by the Tony award winning show - Dear Evan Hansen. It is gorgeous and reassuring.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFZmT-LRMBM



As my lovely friend Eileen H. often remarks, "thanks for riding along" with me as I indulge myself and post (albeit infrequently) on this blog.  I appreciate the company! Wishing all a safe, satisfying, empowering 2018!