The everchanging seasons come and go, each one with its own ups and downs.
I've been blessed with many good things in life, and have fulfilled many of my dreams. Life has been kind and my valley has mostly been green and full of life, although there have been times when it has turned into a very deep and dark place.
We've just come out of a cold winter with some icy days, and those are the days I'd be making comfort food like soups, spicy curries, hearty casseroles, and so forth.
How do we find comfort when the cold winter comes into our hearts though, be it illness or losing a loved one?
A long chat with someone near and dear or a walk through the valley certainly is the best medicine; retail therapy will also do the trick for me and that doesn't necessarily mean I have to dig deep into my pocket as with my last #marketfriday blog when we went window-shopping 😉
My health currently is a concern but nothing compared to what others are going through.
I received the sad news of a very dear friend who had a massive stroke and has been left paralyzed on his right side. He currently is undergoing intensive therapy to learn to read, write with his left hand, and even to talk again, things we take for granted.
This friend played a big role in my working life and still is young; his wife and I also worked together for many years, so we have a close bond. They loved traveling and were quite the adventurers, but sadly the latter may never happen again as he's facing a long hard road to recovery!
They're currently trying to get out of that dark valley, so my health issue suddenly seemed trivial and just a little bump in the road.
We had endless days of miserable weather; wet, windy, and cold, but then the sun came out and we had glorious days; a reminder that the gloomy days will soon pass.
It is funny how the weather can affect one's state of mind as my spirits lifted immediately when the sun came out.
The heady aroma of Jasmine fills the air every night right outside my kitchen.
Living in a subtropical climate we don't experience harsh winters, so the garden gives us much joy throughout the year, although it's not as lush as in summertime.
Our swallows return each springtime; they've been hard at work building a nest, and we can hear the chicks chirping, with much noise coming from the new parents who circle the skies in search of nourishment and keeping watch on their young ones. These are joyful sights and noises!
The circle of life is ever-changing, as with the seasons, so let's always remember that the sun will always rise the day of tomorrow even when we're going through deep waters!
I hope you enjoyed a little peek into my green valley.
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