22 Comments
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Dawn Tomaski's avatar

So lovely. I’m trying so hard to be grateful for every day, every moment since my husband has started in home Hospice care. I do feel so lucky for the time I have had with him after waiting so long to find him.

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Kateri Ewing's avatar

Dawn, I am so sad to hear this. I will be in touch privately. I'm so sorry I didn't know this.

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Crowharp's avatar

🙏🏻💔🙏🏻 no words. Love from a stranger.

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Anne Butera's avatar

Beautiful. And thank you for the book recommendations. I haven't read either of them (but I have read the Pilcher and love her cozy stories).

I constantly struggle with staying in the moment and noticing all of the precious beauty in this world. It's so easy to get pulled into the other stuff. One winter ritual I've returned to is spending time each day sitting and watching the sleeping garden out my studio windows. Birds at the feeder. Squirrels running up and down the birch tree. The remnants of my garden exquisite in their muted colors.

Thanks for the reminder to keep returning to wonder.

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Kateri Ewing's avatar

That sounds like a wonderful ritual. You should capture an image of your winter garden and share it here! I would love to see it. And isn't it just the truth? It is a constant commitment to slowing down, I think, that helps me. But I fail daily amidst moments of succeeding.

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Mama's avatar

In the rush of life we sometimes forget to be grateful for each moment of our lives. This is a good reminder to be thankful for every thing around us and slow down to enjoy the little things that bring us so much joy!

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Kateri Ewing's avatar

So very true! 🩵

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Janet Scanlon's avatar

I love this piece. I love the title. Oh, yes, did I say I love the title? :)

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Kateri Ewing's avatar

✨🩵

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Robyne cooke's avatar

My heart is so full after reading this - you’re a gift. A million thank yous. And a will def read both of the books you recommended and report back! 😊

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Kateri Ewing's avatar

Thank you 🙏🏼 ANd I look forward to hearing how you enjoyed them!

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

Your reflection on the ephemeral nature of life really struck a chord with me. It's a bittersweet truth, isn't it? That the very things that bring us the most joy are also the most fleeting. It makes me wonder, how do we find peace with the impermanence of life while still fully embracing the beauty of each moment? How do we hold onto joy without clinging so tightly that it becomes pain?

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Kateri Ewing's avatar

Do you know the William Blake verse, He who binds himself to a joy, does the winged life destroy; he who kisses the joy as it flies, lives in eternity's sunrise? I think it's one of the hardest things to accomplish. But...we persevere!

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

I think I have run across it briefly, but I don’t “know it.” Thank you for sharing. 🩵 Such a perfect verse to add here.

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Kathy's avatar

I love this photo. You cannot put a mask on the back of your head. If a person can emanate genuine benevolence from the backside, I think you have a gem Kateri :).

Somewhere in the early months of the year, something shifted and I began reading fiction prolifically. Before then I could barely get through 5 or 10 pages before abandoning the effort. An urgent need surfaced that called me to immerse myself in unfamiliar landscapes and imaginative characters. The world of stories has been working on me in various ways. I’ve discovered a stir in my imagination, deeper thinking and I am remembering my dreams. I am glad you are returning to your own writing projects. So grateful for your voice here. ❤️❤️❤️

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Kateri Ewing's avatar

You cannot put a mask on the back of your head. I have never thought of this truth before! And genuine benevolence doesn't even begin to describe this human, but you got that right :) Fiction is a balm. I have been through many times where I just couldn't keep a habit going. I get that, I really do. But we know when we need it most. I need it most a lot lately. It truly is a balm. xoxo

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Christiane BdO's avatar

Dearest Kateri, I was reading this while sitting in the old and very comfortable wooden chair built by my maternal grandfather whom I loved so much. Cool, calm and collected on this very cold Sunday afternoon, here near Montreal.

Yes, gratitude makes miracles for our health, and each night before falling asleep, after reading in bed, I take a special journal/agenda dedicated to this and I write down three things that has bring me joy in the day and three things I am grateful for. Then I can fall asleep easily 😊

Thank you and I will search for these two books you mentioned. Right now, I am re-reading “Wintering” by Katherine May.

Have a beautiful week xxx

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Kateri Ewing's avatar

I love your practice of writing down three things! I tried reading Wintering and did get on with it. I would love to hear your take on it. I keep seeing people loving it, and I wonder if I need to try again.

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Judy Miller's avatar

Kateri I am grateful to be sitting in this comfy chair, this quiet Sunday morning, to read your words and be reminded.

It’s a beautiful thing. 🕊️

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Kateri Ewing's avatar

I know you know, in your own way xoxoxo

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Chantal's avatar

Beautiful and tender. Like a balm.

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Kateri Ewing's avatar

I am so glad it resonated, Chantal. Thank you for being here!

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