I’m emerging from a necessary and treasured month-long hibernation, so happy to be in a brand new year.
Last year was The Great Darkness for me. A year of crushing loss, debilitating health, and painful situations too numerous to mention. There were moments I feared things would never, ever get better, that I wouldn’t make it. But they did and I did. And all those horrendous scenarios somehow grew into breath-taking moments of deep healing, soul-soaring awareness, and precious relationships that saw me through the most difficult year of my life.
Today I feel quite emotional about it all, filled with such love for my Bear and dear ones who believed in me when I couldn’t, who were strong for me until I could be strong for myself, who shone glimmers of love and light through those dark days, giving me something to hope in and crawl towards.
It’s exquisitely wonderful to be on this side of that darkness and to face the hard things with renewed courage and resolve and good humor.
My health went kaput over the holidays, which was most vexing, particularly since the powerful medicine they had to put me on precluded me from indulging in any of the luscious spirits and liqueurs I’d made with such anticipation in the months before Christmas. How I suffered. 😉 The good news is that we continue to cross things off the list of things I do NOT have, which means we are edging closer to figuring out what in tarnation IS the matter with me. 🙂
Other than the wonky health stuff, this hibernation has been marvelous.
There was sunset-watching and grilling over an open fire and cuddles with our dogs.
Treasure-hunting in thrift stores where we found splendid old books, lovely bits of furniture to restore, and this rather marvelous afghan that makes me smile every time I look at it.
New traditions were formed: Christmas trousers instead of Christmas stockings, smorgasbord and a movie for Christmas Eve, and the weekly purchase of fresh berries and fresh flowers.
We read books and watched a fabulous documentary on the Vikings and took day trips and visited with dear friends and slept in and went for walks with the dogs and fenced and gardened and studied all sorts of things that interest us. It was wonderful and just what we needed.
Next time I’ll tell you all about our getaway to the beeyootiful Gold Coast.
What are some of your favorite memories from your holidays? XO
Welcome back Krista! Glad to know you are feeling refreshed after your break. Sounds quite delicious. Love the chair and the rug! And that fruit salad, so fresh!
Thank you so much, @lizposmyk:disqus 🙂 It is wonderful to be back again. XO
Welcome to the New Year and I hope it is a better one for you. It sounds as though Christmas was pretty tough. BTW I love the name of your website 🙂
Thank you, @disqus_R0wYxK4fo7:disqus . 🙂 It’s already better and I’m very thankful. So glad you stopped by! 🙂
Good to hear 🙂 I’m glad I stopped by too.
Your hibernation sounds wonderful, I bet it did you a world of good. I love the vintage chair, was that one of your finds? I do hope you feel better. GG
It sure did, Glamorous Glutton. 🙂 I feel restored in body and spirit. 🙂 Isn’t it a lovely old chair? I found it under our house, of all places. 🙂
Aww gorgeous photos and I’m glad you’re back on the sunny side. Now if you and Liz could both get healthy we’d like that a lot.
Wouldn’t that be amazing, @disqus_v9uRgGTGfe:disqus 🙂 I would like that a lot too. That’s my hope for this year, Healthy Liz, Healthy Krista. 🙂 XO
My favourite memory was of Christmas Day. It is not often that I look back on Christmas and think of it as wonderful. But this one really was. We have a rotation of houses it is held at and this year it was at our house. That meant cleaning (yuk), and running up and down stairs all day as the only place we all fit is in our back entertainment area and the kitchen is up at the top of internal stairs. But the day came and went. Everyone joined in the day long events. There were no fights! The food was great (everyone brought something) and everyone had fun watching or playing Bocce, Cricket and French Cricket in the cool of afternoon. Most of the relatives made it home for the day, apart from my sis in law who was and is in Europe. As our parents are old some are ill or frail, it was a special celebration. I am glad the bad days have faded for you Krista (you are brave) and that a diagnosis surely won’t be far off. Love the new look of the Rambling Tart site.
I am SO glad Christmas Day holds so many fantastic memories for you, @budgetjan:disqus 🙂 I know holidays can get so tricky. Your day of events sounds so fun. 🙂 I grew up playing Bocce as well, but never Cricket. 🙂 I’m so glad you like the updates here. 🙂 XO
Four more weeks and I will be on holiday. Definitely something to look forward to Krista during the ups and downs of a Canadian winter:D I am overjoyed to hear you are feeling encouraged. The path leads only in one direction and that is into the future.
That is SO exciting, dear Val! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures. XO
I wish you all that you need in 2014! May sunshine warm your back and health find its way to you 🙂
Thank you for such lovely sentiments, @tandysinclair:disqus 🙂
So glad to know that you are on the other side of the mountain. We often don’t realize how badly we feel until we feel well again. I hope that your recovery from all thing “last year” will continue!
You are so right, Tracy. 🙂 The good moments come more often now and the bliss of no pain now and then is wonderful. 🙂
What is the white fruit in the bowl with kiwi-fruit and raspberries? It all looks so pretty. And that afghan?! I love it. I’m so happy to be in this new year with you, dear one and that the old year is gone. Light and hope for all of us. XO
They are peeled lychees, @breannemosher:disqus 🙂 I love them so much! The fragrance alone is exquisite. 🙂 Light and hope is my wish for us too, dear friend. XOXO
I hope 2014 is the year you solve all your mysteries, Krista! Let me know if I can help in any way as I’m always researching random health stuff… Looks like you’re having beautiful weather where you are. All the best, Andrea xo
Thank you so much, @inspiringtravellers:disqus I know you understand the rigamarole of finding a diagnosis. I will email you soon with my latest update from yesterday. 🙂
Sounds like you had a fabulous break Krista. Welcome back (you’ve been missed). I loved going ‘home’ to Australia for the holidays 🙂 Here’s to a brilliant 2014 🙂
I sure did, @wanderingsheila:disqus . Thinking back makes me smile. 🙂 Thank you for missing me! That is so lovely. XO I’ve missed you too and had such a nice time getting caught up on some of your posts yesterday. 🙂
Happy New Year Krista, let us hope my friend that 2014 is a better year for us both, we sure need it to be. Take Care. I was delighted to read your comment on my trams post, will you let me know what the book you read was as I think I might want to add it to my TBR list as I find HK fascinating.
We sure do, dear @LindyLouMac:disqus XO I’m so glad we both have lovely people in our lives who cherish and care for us and help us through the wretchedly hard times. XO The book is “The Language of Threads” by Gail Tsukiyama. I found it such an interesting story of a world I’ve never seen or experienced.
Thanks Krista. I have added the title to my wishlist over on Goodreads.
You’re welcome! Goodreads is so fun and inspiring, isn’t it? 🙂
Oh, Krista… you are an amazing inspiration!! I’ve read you mention a few times about some of the struggles you have dealt and are dealing with, but your posts and thoughts continue to be a bright spot in my day. You are truly a beautiful spirit. Thank you for brightening my days!! And here’s hoping you will find an answer to your medical issues soon. XOXO
Oh dear @kimlivlife:disqus , your words came at just the right time to cheer me up. 🙂 Thank you! XO You too are such a light in my life and I’m so thankful to have met you in this world. 🙂 xo
I so happy to see you back. Your post is bright and upbeat just like your wonderful attitude about life. Wishing you a good year with much happiness. 🙂
Thank you, dear @karenbackroadjournal:disqus 🙂 I have really missed your beautiful and inspiring posts and am delighted to be back again. 🙂 xo
Your hibernation sounds much needed and like it did you the world of good dear Krista. All those treasures you found including yourself and reconnecting to your spirit. I’m hoping your health constantly improves through the year to come xxx
sending love as always xxx
“reconnecting to your spirit” describes it perfectly, dear Lisa! XO I’m so thankful for this time away and full of hope for this new year. 🙂 XO
Oh hello again and happy day — and year ahead — to you! I’ve missed our visits and am glad you are back. Sorry to hear you are still battling ‘whatever’ but once you figure it out I am certain you will conquer it; your spirit will soar!
I’ve missed our visits too, @disqus_WseMqaTPwi:disqus , and it does my heart good to hear from you again. 🙂 The physical battle may still be walloping me, but I’m not going to give up. 🙂 XO
Oh hello! It’s nice to have you back. Have I mentioned before I just love your photography? Mmmmm I’m pretty sure I have. Here’s wishing you many more evenings watching the sun set in that beautiful rocking chair wrapped in your new blanket with Bear and the dogs beside you. I hope you get a hang of whatever is ailing you x
That is so kind of you, @disqus_xRgkTDNCQJ:disqus , thank you! 🙂 I’m looking forward to some cooler weather so we can do just what you described. 🙂
So happy you’re back! (I’m a bit late, it seems.) 🙂 Krista, I’m so happy your spirits are high and you have all kinds of love and friendship around you. You will get well. There’s no doubt about that. Keep smiling that beautiful smile, and doing all the small, happy, daily things. (‘Cause of course, we love reading about them too!) 🙂 xoxo
Never too late to tell someone you’re glad they’re back, dear Sosae! 🙂 I’ve had some encouraging results this week and I’m so thankful and happy. 🙂 xo