My Year of Miracles

I'll be leaving shortly for Christmas with family.  I will practice gratitude today and tolerance.

Much has been accomplished this year.  I sold my house in a negative market, downsized, moved, re-located, got settled in an apartment, and set about exploring a new community.  Then I had a knee replacement and scheduled surgery for the other knee.

So much to be grateful for and I pray  to be present today, conversational, and tolerant and hopeful.  A very special Christmas indeed.

My Year of Miracles

Moving forward with the sale of my house!  Starting to pack, clean and let go.

Begin Again

     Beginning again means to be connecing with things that are important:  culture, art, authors, classes, work, people.  I need new opportunities to meet people with similar interests and longings.  I'll have a chance to spend time at the Rubenstein Library at Duke and connect with friends like the people I met a Duke Gardens.  I'll be able to get new knees.  A new place.  A new job.  I can summon my courage by clearing out the debris of old hurts and sad memories and embrace the vibrant colors and lifestyles of the city.  The Nasher, DPAC, Duke, Quail Ridge.  These things await me.

My Year of Miracles

Day 19

I should be hopeful!  I expect to sign tomorrow.

My Year of Miracles Day 17

Looking forward to a drive down the coast of North Carolina to a retreat among friends, some old and some new.  Topsail Beach is a great place to refresh and enlighten.

Sometimes little miracles happen easily...all will be taken care of.  "The same everlasting Father who cares for me today will take care of me tomorrow, and the day after...there is nothing to fear...I have unfailing strength to bear what comes my way."  (Saint Francis de Sales)

My Year of Miracles

Day 15

Went to church in Durham and what a day it was!  From the Hallelujah song from the band to the honest yearnings in the prayers of the people.  Sara prayed for the means to feed 25 students, and her request was granted.  Jason added oil to my car as it was down considerably.

Then I ran into my old friend Beverly at Whole Foods, dropped by Quail Ridge to hear Harlan Coban and ended up getting a copy of Desmond Tutu's new book on Forgiveness.  Such a wonderful day, in spite of the wintry weather.

Plus, I had a nice chat with my son on the phone, and I'm going to be a grandmother to Margot!  (Reminds me of the famous ballerina, Margot Fonteyn).

My Year of Miracles Day 11: A Poem

That Note

From the back 

of my throat

not Darlene Love's

but my own.

Clean and pure.

Soaring!

I coax the shrillness 

out of it.

I practice

until the windshield cracks.

Hurrying now.

The choir is

warming up.

My Year of Miracles

Day 10

Yesterday I sang in a church choir, for the first time in about 50 years.  I loved the song by Hezakiah Walker:  "I need you, you need me..."  It's like a prayer.

Amazingly, the choir received applause.  What a gift, so unexpected.

It's a warm sunny day and for this I'm grateful!  I'm grateful to be a part of it.

My Year of Miracles

Day 9

Poetry is Liberating!

At times

when I don't know

why things happen as

they do,

I write

and remember,

not knowing where the words 

will take me.

Poetry forces me to

look deeper into my soul

and to know

that my internal radar

of hope 

and faith

and action

will get me through

the toughest times.

Poetry turns every grief

into gold.

As the poet Rumi put it,

"What fear of loss could we

then possibly have?"

For we are given the

key to each world that we

come to.

My Year of Miracles

Day 8

On my walk today

I saw a herd of 12 

white-tailed deer,

one,

the youngest I think,

stood still

and we stared at each

other...

30 seconds...

1 minute...

before he scampered off.

They will be there again tomorrow,

as will I.

My Year of Miracles

Day 7

The Basics

Getting enough rest,

no stress,

enough

of everything, and 

good enough.

My Year of Miracles

Day 6

Went to church yesterday 

in 70 degree weather. 

Good fellowship and sharing together... 

The sermon was on James 3.  

  

We prayed for each other. 

For the community.

Fire at Duke University 

displaced students from their dorm.

We prayed that 

they be kept safe and warm

in their temporary homes.

My Year of Miracles

Day 5

After a long dry spell with no viewings, the house was shown yesterday.  The interested party is from Maryland.  Of the 11 houses she looked at, mine is at the top of her list.

Another interested party is coming by today.  Keeping my hopes up!

My Year of Miracles

Day 4

The bluebirds are back!

A male and female were 

checking out their new

home.

Bluebirds bring good news.

My Year of Miracles

Day 3

I've been thinking

about how frustrated I've been

about my house not selling.

So after turning over the

frustration, I got a call

from my realtor.  It will show 

this Friday.

My Year of Miracles

Day One:  I saw a bluebird 

just now.

  In the Native American culture,

 bluebirds are a sign 

of good things to come.