...I ate my fill of juicy, red strawberries; tart, plump blueberries; tomatoes bursting with ripeness; divinely pungent basil; and crisp, buttery corn-on-the cob.
...I wrote for myself in a long-lost journal, an effort to come to terms with who I want to be in this new environment, and rediscovered the importance of connecting with myself away from the public eye.
...I listened to the shrill cadence of cicadas, their urgent trill a backdrop I became glad to expect.
...I walked in the woods and strolled on the beach and marveled, marveled, at the new horizons to which I now have access.
...I supported local farmers, the winery across the street, and the only beef I ate came from grass-fed happy cows from my very own county.
...I dreamed of my daughters and ached for them, their physical presence in my life a void I struggle with daily.
...I prepared for my first hurricane, got nothing but a tropical storm, and was ultimately relieved that we got nothing but a tropical storm.
...I found a reasonable and appropriate rhythm to my work that has heretofore eluded me.
...I have come closer to living a balanced life than I ever have before, and am in complete and utter awe at how much time and effort it takes to live a balanced life.
...I recognized an important shift. Instead of uttering the oft-repeated phrase, I can't believe we live here, just yesterday I caught myself saying, We live here. Subtle, but discernibly different in its expression of permanence.
*love*
Posted by: Kate (i {heart} papers) | September 06, 2011 at 09:55 PM
All I can say is wow. That was beautiful and I am so happy that you shared...thank you.
Posted by: Tina M | September 06, 2011 at 11:44 PM
dear cath,
thank you for writing so eloquently about your life and struggles with changes. as you know, i too struggle with the challenges of relocation, losing close proximity to family and friends. i have decided that friendship is like a big tree. it takes time to grow, but that time also provides the deep roots that only longstanding friendships have. keep thinking and working and enjoying this next chapter in your lives. thanks for sharing!
marty ferraro
Posted by: marty ferraro | September 09, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Sounds like you accomplished much this summer!
Posted by: jo | September 14, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Mmmm, sounds like a GOOD summer. :-) And it sounds like you are feeling more at peace. That's good. Thanks for sharing, Cath.
Posted by: Michelle | September 17, 2011 at 07:07 AM
Wicked!
Posted by: Debstamps | September 25, 2011 at 08:40 AM
So cute! I already like you on FB and also get your posts on Google Reader. :)
Posted by: Hermes kelly Birkin | December 28, 2011 at 06:05 AM