The other day, my friend Helena sent me a poem called A Summer Day, by Mary Oliver. The poem ends with these lines:
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
I’ve only had a few hours sleep, so I’m a little ragged and these words are bringing tears to my eyes, right now, as I think back on this year.
What else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
I’m very, very emotional today. I overcame that hurdle in my novel and have been writing almost day and night. The year has come to an end, a wild and precious year and I pray for another and another and another, for all of us. I remember, one New Year’s Eve, kissing my husband at midnight and praying/wishing at that moment for a baby in the New Year – a daughter. And she was celebrating with us the following year! So all things are possible. I have a prayer/wish for this year too.
We’re having a snowstorm, a big warm, woolly white one, where there’s no biting wind, just fluffy gentle flakes.
Okay, I know I promised less dogs, but please:
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you and yours! Daphne looks so festive in her scarf. Enjoy the snow!
Ann:
Those lines brought immediate tears to my eyes, too. This time of year I become even more emotional than normal, wondering if I did everything as well as possible during the outgoing year and if the coming year will finally be the one in which I come close to using my abilities to their fullest. I wish you and your amazing family a terrific new year. Finding you and your blog has been one of the highlights of my year, Ann. As I’ve previously written, I have been a huge fan of Denis’s for many years. Therefore, I have always been aware of you and Denis’s devotion to and love for you. Getting to know you better through your writing is an ongoing everyday treat for me.
Thanks again for the lovely photos. And the photo of your dog (that’s Lulu, correct?) sitting in the snow is captivating. I wanted to rush forward and gather her in my arms!
Have a great New Year’s Eve! And be safe if you and Denis venture out. I want you around to entertain and enlighten me during all of the wild and precious years to come.
A warm and happy new year to you too! Thanks for all of your wonderful words over this past year and to many many more in the new!
much love from little lake!
The poetry is lovely; it truly sums up end of the year feelings. And what can I say about the dog?? She is darling…..dogs really become just like little kids in the snow; full of fun and play. A Happy, Healthy, Blessed New Year to you and all of your loved ones, and to my new-found fellow “blog friends” as well.
So good to hear you overcame your hurdle. Must have been frustrating.
That snowstorm today was beautiful. I just curled up with a book and read and watched it. So peaceful.
May your wishes come true for the new year!
Ann,
Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and I wish you a very happy and healthy 2009! Muffin says hello to Lulu.
Christine
P.S. Muffin is an internet cat due to her love of the mouse. She meowed when she saw Lulu’s picture
Happy New Year to you, Denis, and the kids. The snow photos are beautiful. And don’t worry a blog can never be too “doggy” Love you all.
Happy New Year Ann and fellow “blog friends”!!!!
Beautiful poem. We went to see “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” last night and that movie brought thoughts to my mind about life in general and how precious it is and to cherish each and every second with every single person you care about. Life flies by too fast. I’m sending best wishes to you and your family and hope your wish/prayer comes true this year as well.
Happy New Year!!!
Don’t you just love fresh snow in the new year! Glad you are past your writer’s block. Happy Healthy New Year to you, Denis and the family.
ps. Thank you for the pictures of your horses – keep them coming.
I hope that wish you have for the new year come to fruition. All the best to you and your family!
We like tons of horse and dog photos.
: )
Ann,
I,too become more emotional during this time of year and reflect back on, not only the last year but my life in general…..
The lines in that poem are a reminder to me, how precious our lives really are and to live each day to the fullest and to enjoy our journey while here….
The pic of Daphne maybe its Lulu, in the snow made me want to go hug her, such a sweet pic….
Finding your blog this year has been such a wonderful treat for me….I look forward to reading your blog every morning…
Thank you for sharing your pics, thoughts, humor….
I do love your animal pics, please keep on posting them….
I hope your prayer/wishes come true this year….
I want to wish you and your family a very Healthy, Happy, Blessed New Year……
To fellow “blog friends” wishing you all also a Healthy, Happy, Blessed New Year…..
Lovely pictures! A Happy, Happy New Year to you!
Where have you been ? It has been 5 days since I got my last daily update. I hope you are doing well and working on your book.
Love the pics. Have you ever thought about writing a children’s book? Between the dogs and the horses it would be a childs dream book.