This year certainly hasn’t started off the way I thought it would!

As I wrote back in March, Quester broke his ankle badly this winter and had to have surgery. Then, 8 weeks into his recovery, he got a severe infection, and had to go back into surgery. We’re now three months out from the break, and he’s still recovering. He can’t get back to work until July at the earliest.

In the meantime, his Mom fell (on the same day Quester did), broke her hip, and died several weeks later from complications. Two other members of our extended family also passed away. My brother and one of my closest friends have both been going through painful divorces. My son moved out – which isn’t a bad thing, but certainly a big transition, especially considering his sister moved across the country back in the fall.

Those are just the highlights – or perhaps I should say “lowlights.”

Holy cow! It’s been a LOT.

Even in the midst of all the chaos, there are so many blessings to be thankful for. My community has been super supportive to us. I started taking yoga classes again, and my practice is blossoming. Daily meditation keeps me as centered as I can be. I’m developing a new aspect of my calling, as a book midwife. Helping people to get their heart-centered books out into the world is incredibly satisfying work! My own writing, while it’s been on the back burner for stretches of time, is still simmering along nicely. I got a new-to-me Subaru and love it. I’ve been to the ocean twice in the past week.

I’ve been following my path as best I can. I don’t know what all of these challenges and lessons are leading to, and may not know for a while. But life is full of uncertainty. Even during the hardest times, there is laughter and sunshine and clean water to drink.

My word of the year for 2018 is ALLOW. I guess if things had gone according to plan, there wouldn’t be any need to learn what this word has to teach me.

Sometimes all we can do is to follow the trail of life, even (or especially) when we don’t understand it.

Even when that happens, you’re not alone. Having a solid spiritual practice means you can fall back on that connection when you’re walking along in the dark. Reaching out to friends and loved ones for support is crucial. Finding the simple blessings in each day will help keep you sane.

I’m curious to see how the rest of this year unfolds. I’m thinking it’s time for some relaxing fun in the sun. But…who knows?