I realized the other day that I haven’t done any blogging in a while, and I think it’s because things are still pretty difficult around The Dale, and within myself. Many good things have happened… and over all it’s been tough slogging. I don’t want to downplay or diminish the hard things, but I do want to take this blog post to name the things for which I am really grateful. And, in honour and anticipation of our upcoming Photo Exhibit (opening July 23rd at Gallery 1313 on Queen West… come!), I thought I’d use some pictures I’ve snapped over the last few weeks.
So, I am grateful for:
Our community garden plot, tended entirely by the community
Sidewalk reminders
Parkdale sunsets
Backyard bonfires
Friends who like to swing from vines
Friends with farms and pies
Colourful little critters found at farms
More graffiti reminders
Good poetry (thanks Wendell Berry!)
Cherries picked blocks and hours from our drop in
As Anne Lamott says, “Awful stuff happens and beautiful stuff happens, and it’s all part of the big picture. In the face of everything, we slowly come through… And at some point, we cast our eyes to the beautiful skies… and we whisper, ‘thank you.’ ” (Help, Thanks, Wow, pg 51)
Thanks for the reminder to practice gratitude in the midst of hard things. This is inspiring!