I haven’t written here for a couple of weeks because I’ve been waiting until the time felt right to talk about the big thing that has been on my mind. After twelve wonderful years in Kirkland, we're returning to our roots in Wenatchee. We're currently in the process of buying a house there and we're looking forward to being closer to family, getting reacquainted with old friends, and being near all the outdoor activities we love.

2021… it was intense and excruciatingly hard. It was also my year of personal growth and transformation. The latter statement is a direct result of the former, so I'll take it all with gratitude.

The following post is a smorgasbord of snapshots from the past few weeks, some moments I chose to document out of gratitude.

These past days have been filled with life in stark facets of light and dark. My son’s 18th Birthday, my daughter’s college graduation, and my dad’s funeral—all in the span of four days.

My dad was diagnosed with leukemia in April of this year. After a brutal round of chemotherapy in the hospital, he was released to hospice care at home. He surprised us all by making a dramatic rebound from the symptoms of his disease. The following seven months were a gift. We understood the symptoms would come back, and they did, right around Thanksgiving. He died in his sleep at home with my mom by his side. He was surrounded by friends and family in his final days, and I’m grateful that I was able to have that time with him.

The gift of Advent is on my mind as I prepare for the season ahead. Contemplating the miracle that arrived in Bethlehem provides a centering kind of strength that helps me feel calm in the midst of whatever comes my way. Do you feel it too?

Thanksgiving is this month, so I’ve collected a few images over the past week that are moments I feel grateful for.

A long time ago, circa 2007, I had an online journal that was nothing more than a celebration of everyday joys. It didn’t follow any of the “best practices” of SEO and I didn’t bother promoting it on social media channels. I was simply having fun playing with words and photography, and finding connections with like-minded souls.

For the last year, I’ve been feeling a tug in my heart to return to that old-school style of blogging. I’ve missed it.