A Contemplative Life

Lately we've had a lovely bunch of sunrises, in that the marine layer has been pushed off, not obscuring the bright start of the day. To be honest the bright start begins later every morning, lol. Where in mid-summer we fed the hens at six thirty, now we don't amble out until ten after seven. And they're not complaining about it. Why does this matter? Because it's different. It's pleasant, well, for most of us. My husband prefers clouds. I love him regardless. Autumn here along the North Coast is when visible sunrises return. Or as much as we see once the sun is above the eastern treeline. I don't begrudge those trees, I'm merely thrilled for a relatively vibrant beginning to the day. Especially at this mid-September time of year, for it's the time of year my brother Joe would have turned.... Fifty-four, dude! He died days before his twenty-fifth birthday, what a thing. Why I wrote that Suicide Prevention Awareness post a few days ago and this time last...

September carries significance for me, birthdays of those I deeply love alongside the loss of my brother Joe, who took his life twenty-nine years ago. These joys and sorrows are carefully balanced within my heart, many for whom I pray. Last year I wrote a post about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month . Again it's that time of year. I don't know why autumn was chosen to highlight it, but I certainly feel it, as my niece took her life in October of 2019. She was about the same age as my brother when he died, not sure what that means in the grand scheme, other than those in their mid-twenties, with so much ahead of them, slip away to a place which I pray is far more peaceful than the realm they left. 988 is the number to call or text if you need help. For veterans, call 988 and press 1 to connect with counselors who understand your experiences. We want to love you here and now. Yet, I understand that sense of despair, feeling one's existence holds no purpose; when I was I fi...

Top two rows are stitched together, with the third pinned and waiting. Welp, as my eldest likes to say, it's Tuesday. The equinox has occurred, fall in place mostly in the lessening daylight, although this morning we started with clear skies and bright sun, once the sun rose, lol. I was knocked off my feet over the weekend, just starting to feel human again. Sometimes life throw curve balls, and we end up on our backsides, wondering what the hey's going on. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Three of my beloveds have taken their lives, including my brother and niece. I wanted to write something meaningful about the subject, but now I feel like I'm just scraping the surface, yet it's imperative to tell those we love who are fighting depression that we are here for them, that they matter. 988 is the number to call or text if you need help. For veterans, call 988 and press 1 to connect with counselors who understand your experiences. Please know that so many ...