Happy New Moon First name / sweet human,
A few nights ago I was flying into Portland in the very late evening. On the descent, something unexpectedly welcoming: Countless homes, buildings and entire front yards dressed in colorful, twinkling lights. Coasting toward the runway, I watched the inky edges of the Columbia River glimmer with reflections of our collective holiday cheer.
Looking out at us from this speedy height I was overcome with a feeling I don't have a single descriptive word for…was it a soft nostalgia? A tender sadness? A gentle recognition, maybe, of how very small and vulnerable we all are and how hopeful we can be.
Holiday lights may delight, but I couldn't help noting the symbolism in those thousands of tiny bulbs illuminating the dark depths of almost-winter.
☾
All of this rumination comes at the tail end of a hard but hope-filled trip away from home to care for my mama. Maybe someday I'll share more on some of the challenges my family has been facing recently, but right now I'm thinking about how all of us inevitably experience little dips and deep dives into what can, at times, feel like utterly impossible darkness. I'm thinking, too, about the personal growth that can occur when we're in those depths, but mostly I'm thinking about what helps sustain us when we're there…
Meals cooked and delivered by friends and neighbors. Frequent
messages or calls to say “I love you. What can I do for you?".
Letters and cards with words of comfort and encouragement.
Lots and lots (and lots) of patience and self-compassion.
Countless tiny moments taken to regulate our nervous systems.
Learning (through books, podcasts, heartfelt talks, therapy…the list goes on) how we can help (ourselves/each other) and then taking helping action with intention, deep compassion and care.
This is how we find our way through our most difficult times:
With each other and with real effort lit with love.
☾
These are my (belated again…the new moon was yesterday!) New Moon musings. I don't have any new art work or Wild Valentine news to share with you, but that's okay - it's how it is right now and right now isn't forever.
