Grateful for 2021

It is almost hard to believe that title. I fully intended to travel this past year as I was sure that things would return to normal. When I bought my Christmas themed mask in 2020, I didn't think I would be wearing it again this year. And we are entering 2022 much in the same way as we did last year - with uncertainty, restrictions in place, and not knowing when this pandemic will ease its hold. And yet I still have much to be grateful for. Every day I walk in the woods; the skies in the morning help me to strengthen my faith and remind me of the stillness within me. I relish the time spent with my partner and our families - the bonfires, the family suppers, the game nights, camping weekends and holidays seeped in tradition. I was able to experience a girls weekend with my high school friends - so good for the soul. I love my work and am grateful for every client whom I have had the privilege of learning with in the past year. I lost my beloved Great Dane last March and yet I am so grateful for the love of a good dog - Cricket gave me 12 years of loyal companionship. I continue to be thankful for the grief surrounding the loss of my parents; there isn't a day that goes by that they aren't with me in some way and it strengthens the blessings of my childhood. I am grateful for being able to see my Aunt Rita this Christmas as she travelled from Massachusetts - we wrote to each other for the past two years, had phone and Zoom chats; but nothing compares to being able to hug her and spend precious time together. 2021 will go down in history; yet the ordinary still exists. It is in that space that I am most thankful; for the small things show us why the big things matter. Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/@wizwow