I sit here this Christmas with Melancholy, a friend who is no stranger these days. I tell her I’m tired of these things. It’s not about things. I slide down from her on the couch, putting some space between us, and look past the packages and paper and see what’s important here. The truest, deepest...
Thankful for new beginnings that come from new found perspective; thsnkful for lessons learned from teachers I know and have yet to know; thankful for the simple and the pure of my children’s hearts; thankful for new friends and old friends; thankful most of all for faith, hope and love that are given freely from a Heavenly Father who loves unconditionally. Beautiful Post. Beautiful photographs. Beautiful Perspective. Thank You.
I’m thankful for hope, for opportunities to grow, for family, for pets, and for time to stop and reflect on the important things in life.
I’m thankful for health of family and friends. Thankful that my family knows the true Reason for the Season, and that when they leave this world, there is a beautiful, perfect place waiting for us all that words cannot describe. There will be no pain, no sickness, and best of all – nothing to lose. Merry Christmas, Patty, love you and your blog…
Wonderful shots! I do the Gratitude thing (I am sorry I can’t think of the actual name) where you name things you are thankful for each week. To be honest, it doesn’t help me a whole lot sometimes, but that’s my own problem/illness. Sigh.
Is there anyone that has/or is going to start some type of campaign for Edie from Life in Grace??? Would love to help replace things or give money to a fund towards her rebuilding process. That’s what this season is all about….and Lord knows she’s given so much to all of her readers! I don’t have a blog so don’t know where to start, but you are all very powerful ladies with big voices. Let us know and let’s spread the word!
Patty…. you are so right…. we all have many things to be thankful for! I think that thankfulness is a virtue.
I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week and a beautiful beginning to your new year!
there are so many parts of my life I am grateful for…family, friends, the view from my bedroom window, compassionate community at home and among bloggers, God’s breath flowing through me.
I’m so grateful that I have met you:)
Beautiful post…perfectly said. Jaxon asked me why I’ve been hugging him so much the last few days.
I just happened on your blog from edie’s blog, life in grace’, and I wanted to find out how I can help . . . I read that she has received gift cards, money, things, is there anything that we can do collectively as the people who read about this tragedy and ache alongside of her? I appreciate it . . . and I am very impressed with your pictures and your words. It’s a beautiful way to wake up in the morning, as I do my ‘blogging’, and I find it very peaceful to see your photos. Thanks!
patty… this is exquisite. i love the concept of thanksgiving at christmas. i love that you’ve made it more than things. thank you friend. beautiful photos, as always. love the hugging one.
you have the right attitude..funny Mr Melancholy pays me a visit about this time of year too…
thankful today for a short but sweet time with my daughter… sigh
Came here b/c of Edie’s blog – love the starkness photos – they really speak to me. I woke this morning thinking about all the books Edie lost – from CSLewis, to the Lutheran prayer book, to the Harry Potter books, to George MacDonald – I wonder about a campaign to give Edie and her family some books!? Any other ideas for those of us far away who have been touched by Edie? elizabethlehman@hotmail.com
Thankful for friends near and far…
like you.
came here through edie’s blog – am wondering (as others are) how we can help. we have written back and forth about her love of books – can there be a campaign to help give gift cards from Amazon??
I so agree with you on this post. I found you through Life in Grace. I feel so bad for her and her family. I wish there was something I could do for them. I love your blog and will be back often in the new year. Have the best New Year ever.
I feel more overwhelmed by gratitude than ever , Patty.
It’s a good place to be in.
I won’t pretend to think that everything will be easy and perfect and predictable , but I can truly wrap my heart around all of it and know that yes, this is it.
Love to you.
There’s something mysteriously beautiful about the starkness of winter. The blossoms gone, leaves fallen, and all that’s left is the structure of what is. With layers of beauty and comfort gone, bare bones of being are brought forth; strength is exposed. She is strong. And she is beautiful. ***** Please pray gratitude and thanksgiving for...
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I am left wondering where you live – this reminds me of home…
that last photo is hauntingly beautiful, patty. i love how you remind us to see beauty in everything. you capture things i so often hurry by…the shadows of those trees, the gentle slopes of hills, the worn birdhouse, the grooves in the land that look like God raked the earth with His fingers…i am grateful
Patty this is exquisitely expressed…so deeply inspiring. This is exactly how I feel about winter!
praying Patty.
and those photos. the last two especially . I needed this today , these .
I can’t even tell you.
love. love. you.
Hey Patty, I was thinking about you last night and last year’s Christmas. Have you gotten “L” anything big this year? My boys have taken over my husband’s iPod touch, they even told me they want an iPad. (Ummmm, hello, your five and two, you’re not getting an iPad.) But I just remember the shots you got last year of your daughter’s face when she got to open up her iPod. Anyhow, I’m rambling. Love your shots, they are always so full of detail and creativity.
Merry Christmas.
Absolutely stunning–as always!
Praying also. I am so sad for them.
Prayers of Peace, Strenth, Courage, be with Edie and her family. God’s love will bring this faithful, beautiful servant through this horrible tradedy. HE will make all new again in Him and bring ultimate peace to this family. Patty, thank you for posting this for Edie. Please let us know what we can do to help in any way.
beautiful pics. yes even in this loss…God is so good. so thankful they were spared! gives me chills. Merry Christmas to you.
We know God will come through. This is the beginning of a story of redemption – my favorite kind.
Well, I didn’t get here in time for Christmas, but I wanted to stop by and wish you the merriest of Christmas seasons. I hope the day itself was wonderful and I hope that the coming week is full of joy. May you find laughter with friends, affection and joy with family, short return lines, and lots of great deals during after-school shopping. I want to thank you for your beautiful blog and for dropping by mine. You have made my year richer and fuller and sweeter. Merry, happy, joyous New year!! Much love, Relyn
Just beautiful. The colour of that moody sky is breath-taking.
Praying for Edie and family too.
A truly inspired and beautiful post. I am praying for her.
hugs,
Leslie
I am so so sorry that I didn’t realize this was referring to Edie.
I can’t even fathom it .
prayers .
stunning . simple . majestic . subtle .
sorry to hear of your friends ..thoughts reaching that family today
Beautiful words for your friend and comforting to me tonight.
[...] I can find my words, my friends Denise and Julie and Patty have written about our tragic [...]
Come, let’s walk for a while. You may want to bundle up, it’s been cold here… But the fresh air will do us both good, and maybe we can slow down this holiday pace for a bit… and find peace hiding here. I’m sorry it’s been a while since I’ve been by. I’m trying to...
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What a beautiful story you told with these gorgeous photos! I enjoyed it!
I will stand still and slow down a bit anytime – those were gorgeous!!
Merry Christmas to you and praying you enjoy some warm lovin’!
Jill
I enjoyed that “walk” with you – fantastic set of photos, that first shot about took my breath away! Thank you 
“Endure” is never a word I would use when talking about your photographs. Breathtaking, art, beautiful, peaceful, captivating…yes.
How pretty! We haven’t had any good ice yet (I am actually a wee bit thankful but was hoping if we did it would be on my days off around Christmas).
Heehee, I’ll ‘endure’ your photos any day! They’re gorgeous!
I read this ,
or was blessed by this I should say , this morning,
and all day these images were in my head.
Doing errands, cleaning, getting in and out of the car ,
and I kept seeing these photos.
You are quite something Patty.
I sure do love walking through life with you in this way.
patty . the images and words ring with subtle beauty . a winter garden in all its glory .. i will take this moment to wish you the most wonderful holiday to you and all whom you love
Oh Patty – these are scenes that I never get to experience where we live, so it is wonderful to enjoy them via your photos.
Simply beautiful.
“The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us, and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone.” {George Elliot} Do you believe in angels? I do.
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Yes, I believe! That last photo is gorgeous, Patty…seems to capture all 3 so well! (the candlestick angel is breathtaking in an organic and simple way). xoxo
Love that bottom shot! And yes. Yes I do!
I believe in angels. I’ve never seen one (the celestial kind, that is), but I once had an experience while driving in which a guardian angel saved my life. If somebody much wiser than me hadn’t depressed the brake at precisely the correct slow, steady rate — instead of stomping on it, as I would have done — I’d have died that day.
most certainly,
and the photo of your beautiful children is unbelievable.
wonderful.
And yes, I do.
Patti,
I love these photos… but especially the last one. Such beautiful light on all of them.
This is beautiful Patty! I definitely believe in angels. Thank you for introducing yourself on my blog. I have enjoyed viewing your beautiful pictures, especially the ones of New York! They are amazing. Makes me want ot go there today! Have a very blessed Christmas!
~Amy
Beautiful photo of your kids Patty – they are all stunning looking too!
I do believe in angels. Wishing that this season they will visit and bless us.
I love the picture of your kids.
Ruth
I do indeed…sometimes they are “other wordly” beings…but most often I believe they are us…messengers here to guide one another at just the right moment.
What a beautiful photo of your children!
such amazing angels indeed..
If I had chosen differently, an alternative life, perhaps this is where I would be… in a city where the pulse of life is palpable. And maybe I would buy tea… and Christmas trees… at holiday markets in the park. I think I would still recognize beauty in nature, like how colors in a patch of trees...
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i love the pics. i love the insight. thanks for sharing!
!!!!!!!
I have officially run out of things to say.
floored.
(and thank you for sharing this…)
Hi, Patty! This post just makes my heart sing in so many ways – the photography and your words. It doesn’t take much to change the direction of a life. I found you because you visited my blog, asking about the camera in my post. It is an Agfa Anastigmat Joestar, an old German camera. I have a terrible addiction to old cameras (most have no value) which would be lovingly displayed all together if I didn’t also have a terrible addiction to books. My cozy house can’t take it all. So I have my cameras tucked here and there, to admire when I can. Thanks for stopping by. Love your blog name. Serendipity has always been one of my favorite words from the time I learned its meaning.
I relate so well to this Patty. I did complete design school and even worked in NY for 8 months…and then married and pregnant decided I couldn’t do the crazy commute any more and chose to stay home with my daughter, and then my two daughters and you know…it all worked out…I got back into art as a teacher at our religious school part time…and now through photography…we take steps, we make choices…and then the road of life rises up to meet our soles (souls) and support our unique journeys.
I don’t know if I’ll ever get to NY – but I so appreciated seeing it through your eyes.
And yes….choices…..
I’m no-where near where I ever expected to be either – but maybe we ended up where we were meant to be?
you kill me. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
Both the photos and the words.
Drawing a thumb for 3 hours is boring for an 81 year old too. I think it’s boring for all. Unless you have a thumb obsession.
see! it’s not just me! deb (talk at the table) has the same problem commenting on your posts! love, love, love this post and the pictures, too.
Gorgeous. Every one of them.
Such a beautiful story…words and photos…of a heart of love!!!
oh patty, i had almost the same thought when i visited new york city. there is something magical about it. something that makes one wonder, what if? and then, we look to our side and see our soulmates and know, this. this is good. but still, there’s something about NYC, as you’ve SO aptly captured in your photos and words. gorgeous. gorgeous post. thank you friend. (btw this is the last imperfect prose until the new year. merry christmas!)
WoW! BreathTaking! Those are great shots, makes me want to go see them in person. I’m glad you dropped out of that art class, they might have cramped your style.
WoW! BreathTaking photos…makes me want to go see them in person. I’m glad you dropped out of that art class, it might have cramped your style.
beautiful beautiful photos. i love those hanging jars.
it is so stunning here. my heart just well up, with each word… each photo. i am so happy our paths crossed on this journey.
; )
I love this. . . I walk down this memory lane often enough that it’s worn grooves in my mind. I can’t regret what I have, but I DO often wonder; what if? I know I’m where I am supposed to be, though. And for that I’m thankful. GREAT images in this post. They always are!
it’s all for a reason.
all the choices
and the changing, growing dreams.
His purposes working in us
and through us
in ways we may
never know.
love you.
glad your choices brought you here.
edie
These are really just cool. I felt like I just got a tour of the city.
We do tend to end up exactly where we’re meant to be, don’t we? I wish I could remember that earlier in a process from time to time. I’d sure save myself a lot of angst along the way.
Your photos are beautiful and your sentiment really spoke to me. I loved this post. Thank you …
Absolutely beautiful!
I wouldn’t say your art is bottled up. It’s right here, in your photos, in your eye, in your love of beauty and your ability to make things beautiful.
Another amazing post. I have missed the times I could sit and take in all you post. They always make me think. Hopefully now things will slow down since we have finished the kitchen remodel.
I do love NY but haven’t been in so long. Would love to design windows for Anthropologie. What fun.
Ruth
Wow.
That post had me coming back again and again to study the photos. You are brilliant with a camera, and your thoughts are the cherry on top!
Your photos are amazing! MAGICAL!
I love New York and just like you had I made different choices in my life I would have ended up working and living in the city. In my case the choices were those big ones: being married or staying in New York. Of course I picked the former and I don’t regret it but I do miss NYC intensely once in a while….especially seeing photos like these
A 31 Days Series on Nurturing Her Self-Esteem
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