The Prospect of Spring fills me most with ...

The prospect of Spring is potent even for those of us who for several decades have welcomed its early kiss of warm breezes, sparkling sunlight & the urge to venture forth into something new.  And now I too in these next several weeks anticipate the warm days of Spring like never before.  Because with each approaching Spring a final and lasting release occurs to launch us into a time of ambitious visions for exuberant growth.  Time does not wait. The Wheel of the Year continues to turn and aids us even more so when we engage in its observances for the eight pagan Sabbats; the next being Beltaine or May Day.

The turning of the Wheel for 2024 was bittersweet for me. Each spoke signified a subtle seasonal change with moments of happiness, growth, celebration or difficulty in all aspects of my life as well as for my family. As the year turned towards the diminishing sun of late summer, autumn and finally the cold winds of winter, I faced the immanent loss of my dear Mother.  The challenges of these months and final weeks left us with fluctuating emotions of heaviness, resolve and finally exhaustion both mentally, physically and financially.

However peace did find me by bubbling up throughout this journey. It opened my heart to new beginnings including this new Website and Blog which is meant to help in connecting with all of you.  Blogging is a new animal to me...I really don't know what I'm doing.  I don't know how to care for it, to feed it, maintain it or even name it. Perhaps that will come later as I go along?  I've always been a self taught type of Being...learn as I go as I did with soap making.  Ultimately I have this desire to share quiet moments or life's experiences in hopes they will inspire someone as they have for me.  In an excerpt from Cecelia Ahern's quote..."Moments are precious; sometimes they linger and other times they're fleeting, and yet so much could be done in them; you could change a mind, you could save a life and you could even fall in love.” So let us share.

IN GRATITUDE AND WITH LOVE

Looking back into the past 2 years, when I first started working on the new website and then walked away to care for my Mom, I realized I needed help quickly for my shop. I didn't have to wait for that help to appear....it was immediate and abundant.  It was also an intuitive gift as if my Dear Ones knew what I needed before I did.

And now that the web site has been launched, I would like to dedicate this venture to my loving family who supported me beyond what my imagination thought I could endure, all my dear friends and customers who were with me at my shop for regular visits and/or in spirit.  So many of you helped me at the shop...Kelly, Gavin, Ashley W., Ashley D., Kristen, Brighid,...my spiritual family & Angela who also assisted in the impossible task of building this website which involved countless layers of vexation. Thank you...thank you.  We did it!  Chrissada, like you said...take one day at a time. Rest, eat good food and then take another day at a time. Mike, my partner in crime on the Avenue...your dark humor and sarcasm is a talent that provided a cozy landing place where I could wallow for a while in my own darkness.  And my dear friend Renee, thank you for feeding me with delicious home cooked meals while serving them with a hug that allowed all my fears and vulnerabilities to flow.   

Mom never had a computer, smart phone or TV; she communicated with a hand written letter or a lengthy phone call and just watched the local channels.  Her life was centered & focused on the priorities of life that embraced family, hard work, love & generosity.   She would have been proud of me for the completion of my website, but she would have been even more grateful to all who supported me so I could spend my time with her.  

Be well my Dear Ones...I wish you all the very best of what each day can offer. And when a Moment appears in which you need aid as I did, I wish you same constancy of support as was given to me.

With Love...Monica ~ Betula