A Moment of Truth & Beauty

Yesterday, I raced in the door at T.K. Salon for my standing every four week haircut and chat with Noelle, my wonderful stylist.  Each month I walk in looking like I have a shrub on top my head and walk out looking like a Human Being with an individual sense of style.

My short, bed head hair and the fact that I've decided to embrace my white/silver color is not the choice most or many would make.  But, it is me.  And, well, for me it works.  As far as I'm concerned, a good stylist is nothing short of a miracle worker.  A visit with Noelle means that at least a few minutes each month, I feel better about mySelf.  A few minutes when I think I can still see that I was pretty.

In my hurry to catch up on the bits of news since my last visit, it barely registered that there was an elderly woman getting her hair washed while Noelle and I chatted.  I smiled at the other people there, but didn't pay close attention, save that it is rare to see an elderly woman at the shop.  I sat in Noelle's chair and my cut commenced.

The older woman was now seated next to me having an ongoing conversation with her daughter with an occasional comment to the stylist.  Daughter said, looking up from her magazine, "Mom, Danielle Steel has a new book out, have you read it?"  Mom replied, "No, I haven't even caught up with the last two she wrote.  Why don't you buy them for me?"

Daughter replies, "Mom, I don't even know the titles of her last two books!"  And then a bit later, "Mom, you should use some product in your hair that will help you keep up with this new do of yours!"

Mom to Daughter, "Okay, (side comment to the stylist, "I assume you sell that stuff here?" Affirmative nod from the stylist,) you buy it from Theresa here and I'll use it."

Noelle and I looked at each other via the mirror and both smiled.  Mom is no slouch!  Not going to use here money on frivolity, but if Daughter with her bright ideas wants to contribute, out standing! Go Mom!

It was a few moments later that we heard the first exclamation that stopped our chat, "Oh Theresa! Look at it!  Oh look!"  Noelle looked over and smiled.  The old girl was smiling really huge looking at herSelf in the mirror.  I said very quietly, "Wow, she really seems to like it!"  and Noelle smiling said, "Yes!  It's so wonderful when that happens."

A little while later the New Old Girl said to her daughter, "Karen!  Just look!  Isn't it wonderful?!  Oh!"  Major affirmation from her daughter, "Yes indeed, Mom, you look beautiful!  Great job, Theresa!"

It occured to me that I was paying witness to one of those rare moments of Beautiful Truth.  The moment when we see the truth of who we are, when we can stand in agreement with ourSelf instead of picking at our faults; or accepting with a sigh the things we so dislike about ourSelf.  The moment when we feel, PRETTY!  A moment when we can actually see what others see!  A moment of positive affirmation.

That  rare sort of feeling is contagious.  Everyone around gets to remember that possibility.  That joy. That beautiful truth.  The moment when we do more than accept our shortcomings or the things about ourSelf that we don't like but have learned to live with.  A moment when we actually see ourSelf in the mirror instead of glancing to make sure we don't have spinach in our teeth and then quickly away because we are disappointed in the reflection.



A divine moment when the authentic beauty that is inside spills out so you can see I AM!

Noelle said, "That right there is why we do this job.  The chance to make every person who sits down feel better.  To feel pretty!  But that doesn't come very often so they're special when they do."  We sat quietly as we realized that the woman was hugging Theresa and even crying.  She repeated, "Oh look at the color!  It's perfect.  Theresa, it's just perfect!  Not bad at all for an 80 year old gal!"  We all totally agreed.

When I got up to leave, I passed her and said, "You really look so pretty.  Can I give you a hug because you made my day!"  She put up her arms and we embraced.  "Thank you," I whispered, "I'm so glad I was here today."

I met up with her daughter paying at the counter.  I said, "I am so happy for her.  And Theresa, how wonderful for you to have this moment.  You gave her the chance to remember that she isbeautiful!" Her daughter, all smiles said, "I know, it's really something isn't it?!"  I nodded.

It certainly is.  A moment of beautiful truth.  We are never too old to be reminded.  Never too young to wonder.

May you find your moment of Beautiful Truth.  Even if it is for the briefest of moments.  May you be reminded how beautiful a creation you truly are.  Because, trust me, we all can see that about you every time we look at you.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Went For a Haircut But Got So Much More

Christmas Is For Children

"Oh, I wish you were coming home for Christmas, I'm really having a hard time with it this year," sighed Laura.  "Everything is different and I just want the Christmases when we were little.  Driving home in the dark from your house on Christmas Eve, I looked out of the car windows and hoped I'd see Santa in his sleigh.  I loved those Christmas Eves with you.  The pretty white tree upstairs and the the fun colored lights on the tree downstairs.  Sean and I loved being with that tree and watching television while we listened to you all laughing and talking upstairs.  I just want my white pizza and caesar salad and the same foods we always had.  Your tiny house on Falkirk Road and all the same people who are so close to us!"

She gave me the very best Christmas gift when she said that.  Really.  Because isn't that what Christmas is all about?  Working and planning to see the wonder and light in a child's eyes?  Creating the magic that is such a part of it?  And, really, who doesn't yearn for the holidays of their youth?  Don't most of  us wish that we could keep the traditions alive and unwaveringly the same?  We might be able to cope with the changes that life throws at us all the rest of the year, but in December...in December we want to hold things in crystalline perfection.  The Christmases of our childhood... 

Big Brother Glenn & 1, 1957

When I was a little girl, I would go to bed on Christmas Eve and wake in the morning to a house completely and magically changed.  In the corner where the wing chair had been was a huge Christmas tree with the large colored lights and tinsel and presents wrapped under it.  Does anyone do that anymore?  Do children still get the thrill of seeing the magic Santa brings when he creeps into the house for all the good boys and girls?  I hope so...but considering that we have pushed Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas into one big mashed up marketing mess, I doubt it.  And, that makes me sad.

Remember, since my father was incredibly physically disabled, it meant that somehow, he arranged for other adults to take time away from their Christmas Eve to come to our address to put up a tree and make the magic happen for his child.  One year, so I've been told, the Shift Sgt. of the Northern District Police Station wrapped on the apartment door.  When he came in, he found several burly cops with their tunics off, sleeves rolled up and in the middle of erecting a Christmas tree.  He just leveled a look at my father and them and asked, "Do you know that I don't have one cop on the streets in this part of the district?!  When you are finished being elves, get back to your duties.  Merry Christmas, Jimmy," and with that and a smile, he left. 

As a child grows, it's with the background of our traditions-  of dinners at a particular home and visiting with those who you don't see as often as you like.  The frantic ripping of paper and bows gives over to the art of sharing time and stories over dinner and dessert.  That's when you begin to learn the beauty of sharing the gift of your Presence as being more important than the presents that come with this time of year.  For our family, it meant making the trek to Aunt Katherine's house.  She always had it decorated so gloriously with flower arrangements and treasures from her Christmas collection.  Dinner was always a feast.  And for me, the drive to and from just Dad and me, was my favorite time of Christmas day.  We'd talk about everything and nothing.  The quiet allowed us to decompress from the hectic, and let's be frank, sometimes stressful hours of La Familia being together.  If we saw pretty lights in the deep dark, I'd slow the car so we could take them in.  Peaceful and meaningful was this time with my Dad.

The King & I chatting at Christmas Dinner, 1978

When Doog and I moved into our tiny row-home on Falkirk Road in 1979, even though it was only 18 feet wide, we knew we wanted to share it with others for the holidays.  Sean and Laura were at the age when they simply couldn't wait to open gifts.  The notion that they might have to wait for a couple of days after Christmas until we could all get together was just crazy!  So, that's when my idea of having them over for Christmas Eve started.   Our intimate gathering included friends Carole & Al and Jim. Others would stop by, but for the most part it was just the closest friends and my brother's family.  The meal?  White pizza and Caesar salad made in my galley sized kitchen with lots of tasty hors d'oeuvers and cookies.  Each person brought their favorite and that was our Christmas Eve meal.

Presents were shared.  We laughed a lot.  And we talked until the childrens' eyes drooped.  I looked forward to that night every year.  To learn that they mean so much to Laura, is truly a gift.  Over time, the address changed, but the tradition continued.  My home on Long Green Road was the Christmas Eve spot for many years.   Two children were the reason for all those years of holiday get togethers.

My Brother & Sister-in-Law, Linda

My house was larger and more people came to be part of the annual celebration, but we were lucky to have those same core merry makers there, too.  I still did two trees and the meal remained the same.  More people could cram in my kitchen as pizza was being made. The laughter and the chatter still a major focus. 

Laura, Linda, and Yours Truly

I worried as Laura and Sean got older, that Christmas Eve wouldn't be as important to them as it had become to me. I shouldn't have because, even when they started dating and being independent, they still made their way to my house to share 'their' night.  So the years passed and the Christmas Eve celebrations merrily continued.

When Michael and I moved away, I turned over the Christmas Eve celebration to Laura and Linda.  I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I wish that I was still the hostess for that special night.  Some years I am with them and other years, like this one, I am with them in spirit.  Laura and Eric, (Eric loves hosting parties,) have become the Christmas Eve house.  And, here at our home, Michael and I share the day with the love of Melissa who will be here with Pete for Christmas Eve.  The traditions we have made as a new family are different from those I knew; we will be having a standing rib roast instead of pizza for our special dinner.  Evan will call from Florida and we will wish that both of our children were with us but understand that life has changed and so must our celebrations.  I cherish these new traditions with my new family.

Hostess with the Mostess, Laura and Ava

 I suppose it's what we learn about our traditions; they must flex with life while still exerting their magical ability to remain fixed,  reminding us of what we value, what we cherish, what is meaningful and good about life.  The address may change.  New people may join the group.  And, we remember those who are no longer with us, often smiling and tearing up while doing so.  The magic is that they feel so much closer to us at this time of year!  We realize that they are now part of the traditions that mean so very much.  We take the time to let those we love know how incredibly important they are to us.  We hug a second or two longer, handshakes are stronger and we are more free with our kisses.  For those of us who are grown, this is the magic of Christmas. 

My Beloved Brother

We value the moments that make us rejoice in the power of our festivals of light and love.  We need them.  So, we must invest in them and never take them for granted.  As I explained to Laura, "If you love your Christmas Eves, don't be sad that they've changed because the traditions we started with you and your brother are yours, now, to share with your girls.  Honor the memories we made for you by building traditions for Livy and Ava.  It's now your turn to make Christmas magic for them so that they will always look back at the Christmases of their childhood with the same love and longing that you look at yours and I look at mine.  It's time to do it for your girls."

The idea that she can take the magic we made for her and spread it to her girls seemed to help both of us.  It takes away the sadness of  inevitable change and gives power to the fleeting days of  our Yuletide.  Because Christmas, after all, is for children...

My Lion and Olivia

...and since we are all children of The Creator who loves and adores us, it means that Christmas, and all our tradition, continues to be for all of us no matter how far away we are from each other or how long we have lived.  Merry Christmas to My Daughter of The Heart.  I love you very much.  Thank you for making Christmas so meaningful for me.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Aunt Holly, Great Aunt Holly, New Guy

Silent Sermon Sunday

Solomon's Wall

by:

Jean-Leon Gerome

For this one Sunday, I'm breaking with the "Silent Sermon" part.  Because I want to let you know that in a few days, My Lion and I will be departing for Jerusalem.  I will have lots to share with you when I return here.

Israel, I admit, has never been on my list of world places I've longed to see.  But, it is at the very top of Michael's short list of places he's always wanted to visit.  I am beyond thrilled for him to have this wish answered.  I know I will be more than delighted by all the history and sights I will encounter over the eight days.

How can one not be fascinated to stand in a part of our world that has such ancient energy and humanity?

So, to that end, I make you an offer.  If you have a special intention, or you have a special prayer that you would like me to include at my time standing at The Wall, please let me know.

I promise you that it will be included in the small paper I leave in a crack of The Wall....it will join the millions of prayers that have now become part of that sacred place.  Carrying it for you will be an honor.

The ancient cry of the Jews is always the hopeful, "Next year in Jerusalem!"  Somehow, I feel especially fortunate to live in a world that means world travel is so easy to actualize.  Somehow, I know I am especially  blessed to be able to say, "This year in Jerusalem!"  And, I am especially blessed to have wonderful people like you, with whom to share this Mitzvah.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

"Knock and it will be opened to you."

That's the promise, but you must knock.

Don't let fear keep you from knocking.

This week, just knock!

 

 

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly aka, She Who Hesitates On The Threshold

Silent Sermon Sunday

"Let yourself be silently drawn

By the stronger pull of 

What you really love.

~ Rumi

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

Image courtesy of the Internet, Cloister Garden at Versailles

Silent Sermon Sunday

May you feel showered with blessings.

 

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

I'll Have Another

This is the horse who has, against the odds,

Won the Kentucky Derby, 

Took the Preakness,

And is now heading to The Belmont Stakes.

If he wins, he will be the first Triple Crown Winner

Since 1978.

He was purchased for a mere 35T,

Because most didn't see his qualities, he was completely over-looked.

But one man recognized them.
One person saw.

It only takes one person to recognize potential.

This week, may someone reconfirm your gifts and qualities

So that you can continue to run your race,

And show the world your outstanding abilities. 

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly aka She Who Recognizes Your Potential

Silent Sermon Sunday

May your dreams unfurl this week.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

Image courtesy of my garden!

A Few Precious Moments

I haven't been ignoring you. I'm still very much here. It's just that my days are taken up following this intrepid wee one around and making sure that Rory and Fiona don't stuff him in the dust bin.

Argyle has taken over the house; much like any new baby seems to do. And, much to the dismay of the orderly routine that all here had established. But, each day I see progress. Tiny steps to match his tiny paws.

While he catches a few minutes to re-charge his devilment tank, I want to use the time and make certain to wish all of us a Happy New Year. Truly, I do.

I don't make resolutions anymore. Well, let me take that back, I do make only one resolution: I resolve to stay open to the possibility of all that a year might bring me. That's the best that I can do.

But, I do make wishes and hopes for all that I know and love, so for you, I hope:

May you find the 'old' in the new
Hold those well loved, close to you.
May you find grace to say, 'Amen'
If times seem difficult, you'll know when.
May you always laugh and smile
And remember to rest awhile.
May you find the comfort in tears
When sad times appear.
May you learn to greet each new day
With expectations of good your way.
May you love, and like, and grow
And remember that Spirit loves you so.
May your wisdom grow through your living
And our world expand through your giving.
May others brighten your life's course
As you live in Light with no remorse.

Happy New Year and may this one bring so much more than you expected and bring with it the grace to live in hope and expectation of loving all of our lives, the salty and the sweet. See you all next year!

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

Out of the Dark and Into The Light

It is Yule. The longest night and shortest day. The time to bring light into your home to scatter the dark spaces and places. A time to illuminate the dark corners of our thinking. To scatter our fears and concerns.

Tomorrow, the day grows by seconds and the night shrinks by those same seconds. The scales begin to tip into our favor of longer light and less dark. Tonight begins the New Year.

If you don't have a Yule log, that's all right, simply light a candle and watch the flame. Set your mind to the quiet of it and remember the gifts you have been given, and those who are still here to love you. Remember and smile at the ones who you love who left this life as well. They are still part of you even though it is now in a different way. Most likely you will feel them closer tonight as you do.

Being thankful for all you have and have experienced, opens the door to the new and sets the stage for good things to come to you in full measure.

I am grateful for the gift of love we have shared this year. See you in the New Year! A blessed Yuletide to you and yours!!

"See the blazing Yule before us...quickly now the old year passes...Fa La La La, La La La La!"

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

This year, attempt to honor the hope and expectation of the 'new' year by learning one new thing each day...
May it be a wondrous one for all of us!

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly
Image courtesy of the Internet

Wishcasting Creatively

Jamie asks what do I wish for my creativity? I wish...I wish...I wish I respected my individual ability to create as much as I admire the creativity of others.

I wish that I could see it as readily as I'm able to see it in others.

I wish I were more kind with my own attempts as I am with the attempts that others make and miss. Yeah, I wish that I cheered for myself as much as I'm always cheering for those around me.

I wish that I did all that and opened my abilities even more.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly
Photo one of my water color attempts

Champagne, Anyone?

I was born in 1955. Today, I turned 55. So, for me this is a champagne birthday of sorts. I suppose my true champagne birthday would have been the year I turned 12, but I didn't know about those things, so I'm going with this one being the one. Double nickles. Yeah...how did I get to be 55? One decade at a time, one year at a time, one day at a time, one step at a time, one breath at a time...one thought at a time. And, here I am.

Unfortunately, Michael had to leave today for another road trip. It's what I need to get used to now that he took this new job. I hate the leaving part, but I'm all right in a few hours. I don't mind being on my own. It's good for me. And, we do so love seeing each other again after time away. But, still, it is my birthday...

Knowing he'd have to jet off on my special day, he took me out for a great meal over the weekend. I mean, a meal that I won't forget anytime soon. It was that good!

And, also he felt that 55 was deserving of a memorable gift so he bought me, are you ready? One of these!

I am so digging this iPad! Love it. I wanted an e-reader but this is so much more and it's a great deal of fun. And very generous of My Lion. I love it; thank you so much!!

I find that this year seems an important mile stone for me. Maybe it's the roundness of the number. Whatever, I decided that it's a good year to do something differently than I've done in the past. So here goes:

They tell you that you're never supposed to say your wish out loud because it won't come true. But, I'm starting to think that you have to name to claim it...own it to have it. So, I'm going to list my wishes right out loud. After all, it is my birthday and a girl should do what she wants on her birthday.

So, very carefully crafted, in no particular order, here are my birthday wishes for my year ahead-

I wish: That we sell our house soon for what we need out of it in order to start our lives again in our new location.

I wish: That we find the perfect home for us close to friends and family back east and that our move goes smoothly.

I wish: That all this happens in time for the fall and holiday season.

I wish: That I find a job where I can add value and feel like it's unbelievably lucky of me to have found such a great job with an outstanding organization working with really wonderful people.

I wish: That I continue to work toward my goal of being healthier and thinner...with more energy and pep.

I wish: That I have many happy years with My Lion and that we laugh, love, and grow more deeply in love with each other. That I never take for granted that he is my best friend and makes me so very happy.

I wish: For happy times and more of them with my friends who mean so much to me and my family who I couldn't do without. Times with Livy and watching her grow and discover. Yeah, I want so much more of that.

I wish: For Fiona and Rory to have many healthy and happy years with me. I adore those two dogs.

I wish: For the courage to continue to grow and learn. To discover more about myself and realize that no matter how many years I may live, there will always be more to me than meets the eye.

I wish: For the strength and courage to manage any challenges, hardships, sadness that may come with grace and dignity.

I wish: To remember that I create my reality one thought, one breath, one wish at a time and proceed accordingly. And, always always remember how much I am truly loved.

So Holly, many happy and healthy returns of your special day. And, may the year ahead show you that if you can wish it, for certain you can have it. After all, it is your champagne birthday.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka The Birthday Girl

Seek & You Will Find

"Something within each of us waits and listens for the sound of the genuine... If you hear it, and turn toward it, it will free you."

~ Paula D'Arcy
Waking Up To This Day:
Seeing the Beauty Right Before Us

I hope this week gives you ample opportunity to listen and turn toward it...


Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Strives To Be Genuine

I awoke this morning with a clear understanding that, despite all my flaws or perhaps because of them, I am an extraordinary Human Being. I hope this week gives you the opportunity to discover the very same thing about your Self.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Is Still Learning

Silent Sermon Sunday

Tucked deep within most hearts is dream so desired, so carefully concealed, that it is only a whisper....
Let us pray for the courage to set it in motion and bring it into the light of reality.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Dreams

Silent Sermon Sunday

A mother is not determined by biology; a mother is determined by heart and intent to be emotionally available, serve as a spiritual guide, and be loving and supportive.

Happy Mother's Day with my deep love and gratitude to those who have served as my mother:

Marie Raimondo
Katherine Marks
Rose Raymond
Rose Slattery
Eileen Mross
Mary Fields
Freda Fahey
Linda Marston
Judy Markling
Barbara Frock
Carol Arduin
Michael Duggan
And most especially, James Dietor

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Has Been Gratefully Mothered

Well, The Cat's Outta The Bag Now...

They say that change is a good thing. Who the hell are they anyway? What do they know about me really? But, I digress. Let's just go with the notion that change is good for us Humans. You all know by now how much I struggle with it. I'm just not one of those who has an easy time flipping off to new things. Change is foisted upon me most likely because I resist it so long that it's the only way it can happen.

So here I am again. Staring down the barrel of major change. There's a sign on the lawn that proves it's here. No more laying low and letting you wonder what's going on with me and where the hell have I been? That's over. The cat is out of the bag; the sign clearly states, "For Sale By Owner."

Yes, we're moving. Someplace. To be determined. My fabulous red kitchen will be turned over to another. My home that was built just five short years ago will be the address of someone new.

And, there-in lies my drama and sleepless nights. Had we known we were going to sell a house like this one in five years, would we have done it the same? Would we have invested so much money into completing it down to the last detail? Hard to say. But, we always did our improvements or up-grades with our eyes toward the future. We did it for the purposes of re-sale. It's just that we didn't think we'd be attempting to sell it so soon.

Can anyone say, 'equity build up?' Can you pronounce, 'Selling a home in a down market?' Can you say out loud, 'Umm, do you think we'll re-cop enough to rebuild where we're going?' If not, then what?! How am I supposed to know if I'm going to be more employable than I was here so that we can determine what we can afford?! I'd like to think I will be, but crap, I never thought the job market would have been the way it was for me the entire time we were here in Western PA! Who would have ever thought that?!

Can you say, working for weeks to make sure that every closet, every drawer, ever nook and every space is spot on cleaned out and organized? Can you say, making sure that the rugs are constantly vacuumed, the dust can't be written in, the dog toys stowed away?

Can you consider living like a guest in your very own home?! Good god, what a trial.

Can you say, 'Look through your home and remove most of the personalization from it? Pictures, brick-a-brack, treasures...STUFF!'

Can you relate to me hating HGTV now as I posted earlier because they've turned us into a nation of people who think that only two things are required of them as the buyers:
a.) write the check
b.) put shoes under the bed that first night as though you have minion to do all your bidding...

Thanks HGTV, because of you, we have no notions of wanting to do anything to a home for ourselves...we don't want to work to make it ours. Nope, that is all supposed to be done in advance of the sale. Yep. YOU, the homeowner, are to do all the heavy lifting. Yeah...well, I've done so much of that over the last bunch of weeks that I have blown out my knees and my arms so that I'm in constant discomfort.

And still the work to do is a mountain in front of me.

Yesterday, I spent the entire day...let me say it again...ENTIRE day crafting a web page for our house sale. Did I tell you that technology and I are not such good friends? I did? Okay, well let's not go over the same ground again.

But, it's done. Yeah, a web page for selling the house is done. (I've started calling it The house, not Our house. The psychology of that has helped me in the de-personalization process.) Now I just have to wait for weeks to get the web address in the the search engines of Goggle, Yahoo, etc....so that when you go searching for....Houses for sale by owner 15601, or western PA, or whatever crazy way you'd search, this address comes up for your consideration.

So, do me a favor, and take a look at it and let me know what you think. If I left necessary stuff out, would you tell me? If it looks good, give me an atta' girl... If you know someone who's looking in the area, by all means tell them!

www.407etondrive.com

Yeah...we're moving. That's as much as I know for sure now. The rest is just a murky abyss of unknown.

Oh, I just lied...there is something else I know for sure. If you want to be nebbie an come look through my house? There's not a drawer you can pull open that would embarrass me. Not one. Not even the utensil drawer in the kitchen.

So take that. For sale by owner indeed! Wish us more luck than you ever dreamed was possible to wish.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Faces More Questions Than Answers

Buried deep beneath the stark snow awaits the green grass.
It waits with certainty.
I wait as an act of faith.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Is Snowed In

Silent Sermon Sunday

A new moon teaches gradualness
and deliberation
and how one gives birth to oneself
slowly.
Patience with small details makes perfect
a large work, like the universe.

~ Rumi

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Hopes to Learn Patience
Delightful illustration courtesy of Lolly Murray