just thinking today—about what’s going on in the world, the country, our community.  I am concerned for my children and grands...everyone else’s children & grands too.  we’re in a place of sadness, mistrust, hurt, fear and hatred...rather than being in a place of love, kindness, joy & applauding our various differences...embracing one another.  how have we come to this, or has it always been there but somehow, someway, now has permission been given by action or inaction to voice this vitriol, make this hurtful choice...choose fear over love?

although I tend towards optimism, through the years, I’ve found my glasses have become clearer about humanity—it saddens me and yet, I do believe we all have more goodness and love  — even more likely than not.  I realize that while I may believe that, want that and all, throughout this there are hurtful happenings every day and moment.  believing also that by silence—by looking the other way, each of us can be a part of the problem, how can I help—how can I make a difference—how can any of us do our small part without discouragement but with hope and love?

I think that’s a key...each of us has to want a change, choose to start, where we are, with our small step of hope and keep on even when it doesn’t show how it’s helpful... it certainly cannot hurt!  by making some small changes, each of us can, whatever our hope, make a difference—i believe this & choose to keep believing this even, and, in spite of it all.  it’s within this mindset, i offer you a glimpse into connection...a family taking time to BE together leaning into life.

our family recently spent almost a week together in a house at the ocean...how refreshing and joyful it was!  we had space together, space for our own needs, spaces to eat, wander, play, walk, talk, read, make campfires to roast marshmallows and make s’mores beside...frisbees to throw, rocks to climb and swings to be swung on by children and adults alike.  most of all, we had Time to Be.  what a delight for this mama to see her three grown sons, playing together, teasing, laughing, playing with their children, their children playing together...our family, as a whole (minus one who was unable to join us), came together to share being family—love, joy, life, hardship and challenge, love, joy & life.
each of us, doing our small part to add to love in the world...in our lives...in those lives we’re closest to, in lives of friends & chosen family...and, to those we don’t know, by loving, sharing joy and life in energy & gratitude.

Yes, this is what it’s all about~.