Goodbye 2013

Goodbye 2013.  I did not enjoy you at all so I am burying you in this lovely tomb deep in the bayou where you may rest in peace. Before you are gone forever I want to thank you for all you have taught me, the good and the bad.

The first thing you taught me about is about mental illness.  Mental illness comes in many forms.  Sometimes we cannot see it, as it does not bleed, nor does it does not swell up and turn purple.  Some forms of mental illness can be diagnosed and treated.  Some are simply diagnosed.  Some are never diagnosed and live on, affecting all.

Next you taught me compassion.  You taught me it is good to care for those who are suffering and incapable of helping themselves even though they may never appreciate or have the capacity to appreciate what we’re doing. You taught me to do what you can and then when you think you have nothing left in you, do some more.

Which brings me to the next lesson you taught me.  While taking care of others, make sure you take care of yourself, mentally and physically.  Also careful of what you say when you haven’t taken care of yourself, how you say it and be especially careful of what you say on Facebook.  Those who are not close to you may not understand what or why you’re saying something and unfriend you.  Wait a minute, if they unfriend you that quickly, are they really your friend?

The greatest lesson you taught me is about family.  Family is not always the ones you sat around the dinner table with as a kid.  I think Sarah Dessen says it perfectly.

"What is family? They were the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in parts or in whole, they were the ones who showed up, who stayed in there, regardless. It wasn't just about blood relations or shared chromosomes, but something wider, bigger."

Family is your spouse standing beside you. Family is your grown children and their spouses who are there for you without question. Family is the little grandchildren with their hugs and smiles.  Family is your boss at work, his wife and your photo buddy.  Family doesn't give up on you. Family are the people who are always there for you, no matter what.  And 2013, for teaching me about family, I thank you the most.

Sometimes grunge just feels right.  Textures used from Photoshop Artistry and Kim Klassen's Inked.  Mouse over for the before.

Linking up with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

Devonian Botanic Garden Luminaria

For years I have wanted to see this event.  It was either too cold, no snow or bad highways.  Yesterday was perfect.  A little cold (minus 17 Celsius) but no wind so I spent the evening at the Devonian Botanic Gardens with my two photo buddies.  Both of them being so polite, neither would tell me it might be a tad too cold for this.

First a stop at an Indian restaurant for a fabulous meal.

Ice cold water was served in beautiful hammered copper cups.

We had the most delicious mango milkshake with dinner.

After dinner back to the truck and the drive to Devon.  At the Devonian Botanic Gardens we were greeted with thousands of luminarias leading the way to the Japanese Garden.

Lanterns and luminarias adorned the trees.

During the summer a large pond and bridge are the focal point of the garden.  Seeing this in the winter I sure want to make a trip back in the summer.

Ice sculptures along the paths were plentiful.

Looking back at the end of the trail through the five acres, it was a beautiful sight to see and certainly worth the frozen fingers and camera.

Joinging up with

Enjoying the view

It is so very cold tonight ( -23C/-9F ) and very dark.  Only the elf could be enjoying the view.

Star Angel

This little lady has graced the top of our Christmas tree for the past 37 years. Taken with a Lensbaby composer with star filter.

Grounded by the snow

We've been getting a little snow here lately.

I can see clearly now

I'm following my own advice from yesterday and the world looks a little brighter.

A frame placed in the Christmas tree provided the basic photo but it was a little busy with all the branches and lights, so a "little" processing was needed to remove the distractions.  Filters and textures used are from Photoshop CS6, Photoshop Artistry and Kim Klassen's Dreamit.

Sharing with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

A new today

A new way of looking at each day

Back to Normal

I was going to write this post earlier in the week to celebrate my 60th birthday.  I was going to tell you all how wonderful I was, how wonderful my kids are and how wonderful my grandchildren are.  But a phone call changed everything.  After celebrating my birthday, on Monday, I received a phone call from the nursing home telling me that my mother had passed away.

On Wednesday, our son and his wife welcomed their second child, a healthy little boy into the world. Trips to the hospital, taking care of a three year old and funeral preparations filled the week.  By Friday I was a little worn out and not feeling so wonderful.  I think I probably hit the lowest point of the year.

Saturday was the funeral and I made a decision after dinner that Sunday I would get my life back to normal, whatever normal is.  Photography has become a part of me and a part of my life I've missed during the year, so I'm going to try and get back to a daily for the month of December, using Tracy Clark's, Picture the Holidays 2013 and Kat McNally's Reverb 13 for guidance.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said it right when he said "When it's dark enough, you can see the stars".