* Annus Horribilis ....

Well, before I start off on my little tangent, which I wrote earlier tonight, I have just received word that Donna of Paper Crows and Dragonflies had a stroke earlier this month.  The prognosis looks optimistic.  She is in hospital/rehab in Vancouver BC, surrounded by her family, friends and her husband who is constantly by her side.  I know some of you keep up with Donna's blog.  I have just been notified and await an address in Vancouver where we can send mail.  I will post it as soon as I receive.  It would be of great comfort to her, I know, if we could keep the cards and letters coming.  Her friend, Rhonda, told me one of the first words which came from her lips, very slowly was "cre  a  tiv ety".  I hope it will help her recover.  She is receiving every possible rehabilitation technique to help with her healing.  I will keep you posted.  The blog I wrote earlier seems quite insignificant now.  It has certainly put my life in perspective in about one little minute. 

To use a term Queen Elizabeth used in one of her speeches some years ago, I would say this past year has been the most "annus horribilis' (horrible year) of my entire life.  I have never, and I mean never, had so many horrible things hit me one after the other, non stop, like a steam roller out of control for such a long period of time.  I am determined this is the end of it all.  I am determined as this year comes to a close, energy around me is already changing.  I am determined, and have in fact already forgiven and let go.  I am determined not to look back and ponder.

Last night Isabella came with my photographs.  She is a special spirit.  The photographs are INCREDIBLE.  For some reason I can't upload them to the blog.  HOWEVER, while spending time with Isabella and talking with her, my spirit was so uplifted that there was a definite shift in my consciousness.   I felt it.  I actually know now I am going to make it through this very black time.  I will be able to get my balance back and stay in the present moment.  I am going to 'make it' through this, and believe me, there were times this year when I had doubts, big ones.  I lost hope.  That has never happened to me before.  Anyway, hope is back ... I guess it's true ... hope floats, so you can't keep it down for long.  :o)

To this end, I did a double spread in my journal today.

Thanks for stopping by my Lovely's.  I so appreciate your comments and support.  xxoo  Donna

If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream.

Martin Luther King, Jr.