I have never been a new year’s kind of girl: parties too late, resolutions too unrealistic. Just setting myself up for disappointment, it seems. But this year is different: extreme sadness for the unnecessary loss of 824,000 Americans from covid and yet optimism in regaining my strength and endurance after two total hip replacement surgeries. It’s definitely been a year of highs and lows, but always filled with gratitude. I am vaccinated, boosted, masking, distancing and oh so careful. I can have a few friends over at a time who have behavior patterns similar to mine, but Mother Nature is always here to thrill me and teach me new lessons.
The holidays began with a Christmas cake to celebrate the publication of my book DEVOTION: Diary of an Appalachian Garden. My friend and editor Sue Wasserman commissioned the cake by a dear friend Simone Travisano. Oh what a work of art that tasted incredible! I shared the cake with as many people as I could and there are two pieces in the freezer waiting for some special moment. Coconut, lemon and raspberry are the most delightful combinations.
I set a personal goal to walk three miles unassisted by December 31. That did not come to pass and yet I am proud of every step, every minute on my stationary bicycle and even my return to gentle yoga with Hannah Levin on Facebook. I am seeing the promise even in the disappointment.
We have been in the 60’s for days on end. The plants at Devotion are about a month ahead of schedule. Tomorrow, 20 degree weather returns, so I trust Mother Nature will protect what she can. Here is my walk through Devotion this morning.
I wish for everyone time outdoors, whether walking or gardening. And I share Emily Dickinson’s poem as a reminder for us all:
“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.”