I have LOVED reading retrospective blog posts from many friends over the last week. I knew I needed to spend some time doing the same for my own sake….time to look over pictures, think back to the many ways God has been present and moving in my relationships, family, day-to-day life. It is so easy to forget and that is often the precise reason why I write here….to remember. Back in March, I was reading the Little House series with Alex and one of the books ended with a phenomenal idea. The concept that “This is Now.” Laura is asking her father about “Auld Lang Syne” and its meaning. As I wrote back in March, “Pa is playing the girls to sleep on his fiddle and goes into a rendition of “Auld Lang Syne”. Laura, like me, inquires, “What are the days of auld lang syne, Pa?” And frankly, I was really glad she asked that, because I knew Alex would as well and I’d be fumbling for a clear answer.
Pa answers, “They are the days of a long time ago, Laura.” And then promptly tells her to “Go to sleep, now.”
But, Laura’s thoughts and reflections hit me tonight as the book closed. Here is the text:
“But Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa’s fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the Big Woods. She looked at Pa sitting on the bench by the hearth, the firelight gleaming on his brown hair and beard and glistening on the honey-brown fiddle. She looked at Ma, gently rocking and knitting.
She thought to herself, ‘This is now.’
She was glad that the cozy house, and Pa and Ma and the firelight and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago.”
I absolutely LOVE this piece. The reminder that “This is Now.” Now is to be savored. Lived in. Experienced. It has been a “battle cry” for me this year. A daily push to be focused on the life that surrounds me. So this year, in 2013, my word is going to be “TODAY“. I want to focus on what lies in front of me for that day. Not to worry about yesterday, the days long ago or the unknowns ahead. But to focus on today. I hope to blog about this topic at least once a month—obviously EVERY post is about “today” in a way, but I also hope to be purposeful about reflecting on it here as well.
2012, you were full. As I look through pictures, I am reminded of so many nuances, moments, conversations, events, trips and foibles. I pulled some of my favorite pictures and memories to share below—-more for myself than anything else. A little holding place to remember.
Highlights of 2012!
Managed to read a few books {favorites: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin, Mary Oliver Poems, Still by Lauren Winner, Love Does by Bob Goff, & All is Grace by Brennan Manning, to name a few}
Morning walks and runs with a friend {and our surprise happening of waiting in line one morning at the new Boudin Bakery and winning bread for a year!}
Going vegan, gluten & sugar free {and relapsing back to normal eating….ahhh—-2013, redeem us!}
My mom’s group, MOPs
Re-entering the teaching world and making some incredible new friends in my colleagues
The SF Giants winning the World Series!!!!!!!!
Reading some fun book series with Alex {Little House on the Prairie, Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, Ramona books}
Family Trips to Carmel, the snow, Carpinteria & Santa Barbara, Stinson Beach & All Church Camp
Fun, frivolous TV {FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!, Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Amazing Race, PARENTHOOD!!!, Glee, Project Runway, Bachelorette and Top Chef}
Preschool Concluding for Alex and the start to Kindergarten
Weekly Friday Night Movie Nights at home
Meeting Shauna Niequist and Deb Perelman {authors I LOVE!}
Teaching VBS again
Concerts & Nights Out {Notes & Words in Oakland was a special highlight–seeing Anne Lamott, Michael Chabon, Kelly Corrigan & Cake and going to the Lion King with Alex in the City for our surprise Christmas gift}
Beginning seeing a spiritual director and starting counseling {EVERYONE SHOULD DO BOTH OF THESE….LIFE CHANGING!!!!!!}
Going to my 20th High School Reunion in Washington
Dressing up as a Star Wars family for Halloween
Vitamix Smoothies and MESSES
Coffee Fun…especially enjoyed moments at Verve in Santa Cruz!!
Train obsession for Drew, LEGO & Star Wars obsession for Alex
Cooking Projects
Art Messes and Creations
Brother Antics
Drew’s Legendary Hair
Birthday Adventures for all Four of Us (Camping Party, Train Party, Surprises for my 38th and fun in Santa Cruz for Matt’s 43rd)
Swim Lessons for Alex
The Olympics!!!!!!!!!!!!
Babies being born to friends {and a few special ones to come in 2013!}
A wonderful {kid-free!} trip to the East Coast for a wedding and phenomenal memories with my husband
The sadness of events in the world, but finding hope in the small moments {especially Spirit Week at Alex’s school the week after the tragedy in Newton, CT and memorials for some dear friends that passed}
Visits from grandparents and countless hours spent {by them!} watching & playing with the boys…so much to treasure in these relationships.
I am hoping for a few things in 2013…some of which will need a lot of willpower and intention…
Monthly date with each of my three boys individually
Focus on “today”
“No one longs for what he or she already has, and yet the accumulated insight of those wise about the spiritual life suggests that the reason so many of us cannot see the red X that marks the spot is because we are standing on it. The treasure we seek requires no lengthy expedition, no expensive equipment, no superior aptitude or special company. All we lack is the willingness to imagine that we already have everything we need. The only thing missing is our consent to be where we are.”
~Barbara Brown Taylor
Christine, I loved this and the quote from Laura about Auld Lang Syn! Thank you for high-lighting. Have you read The Treasure by Uri Schulevitz? One of my favorite children’s books about treasuring the now. xo for 2013!
Love your year in pictures…especially your vitamix mess and the breadwinner shot ;~)
[...] Sarah Bessey’s word, Micha’s blog on it, and Katherine’s, and dear friend Christine’s, I felt like this year, and today would be a good a time as any, especially with so much on the [...]